SWATCH MAGAZINE VOL. 1 ISSUE 2

30 CREATING THE PERFECT DESIGN PORTFOLIO By Katie Griffith

LIFESTYLE

33 BAKE A NEW SWEET TREAT

By Ashley Henton

34 HOW TO TAKE THE MOST FIRE PICS FOR YOUR FEED By Angelique Cabanero

36 TRAVEL IN STYLE By Olivia Seals

38 PANDEMIC PLANNING

By Emma Robinson

STUDENT FEATURES

11 BRIDGERTON MOOD BOARD By Sara Kunkel

12 MOOD BOARD By Olivia Seals

13 GARMENT DESIGNS By Faith Osborn

21 SWATCH STAFF PICKS

22 “HER SMIZE” PHOTO By Yetunde Ayinmide

31 DESIGN PROJECT By Katie Griffith

32 THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD By Elizabeth Bundrick

39 THE FASHION EVENT PLANNING CLASS FEATURE

40 GARMENT DESIGNS By Grace Brown

41 MERCHANDISING PROJECT

By Rebecca Phillips

42 DESIGN PROJECT By Elizabeth Langner

Photgraphed by Gillian Grice

SWATCH WAS CREATED IN 2019 WITH THE GOAL OF SHOWCASING THE CREATIVE TALENTS OF APPAREL MERCHANDISING AND DESIGN ASSOCIATION (AMDA) MEMBERS AT AUBURN UNIVERISTY. SWATCH SERVES AS A PLATFORM FOR STUDENT EXPRESSION.

FOLLOW ALONG FOR MORE CONTENT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ON OUR BLOG:

WWW.SWATCHBYAMDA. COM/BLOG

SWATCH STAFF

Editor-in-Chief

Executive Editor

Managing Editor

Media Director

Director of Communications

Shannon Lucky

Elizabeth Bundrick

Katie Griffith

Elizabeth Langner

Angelique Cabanero

OTHER MENTIONS

STUDENT FEATURES:

YETUNDE AYINMIDE

GRACE BROWN

ELIZABETH BUNDRICK

KATIE GRIFFITH

SARA KUNKEL

ELIZABETH LANGNER

Senior Fashion Editor

Contributing Author

Contributing Author

Contributing Author

Senior Beauty Editor

Contributing Author

Senior Career Editor

Contributing Author

Contributing Author

FASHION BEAUTY CAREER LIFESTYLE

Senior Lifestyle Editor

Contributing Author

Contributing Author

Contributing Author

Deidre Dolan

Hannah Currens

Sara Kunkel

Hannah Mains

London Reeves

Kaitlyn Reedy

Olivia Smith

Katie Griffith

Anna Kate Taylor

Ashley Henton

Angelique Cabanero

Emma Robinson

Olivia Seals

FAITH OSBORN

REBECCA PHILLIPS

OLIVIA SEALS

AMDA & SWATCH ADVISOR:

DR. ANNETTE BURNSED

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ANGELIQUE CABANERO, DEIDRE DOLAN, SHANNON LUCKY, ELIZABETH LANGNER, ELIZABETH BUNDRICK, LONDON REEVES, ASHLEY HENTON, KATIE GRIFFITH, OLIVIA SMITH

Photgraphed by Greg Curry

to new chapters...

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

There has never been a period in our lifetime like the one we are living in now. Most of us will recall this past year as being a time of hardship and transformation. This turbulent year has created challenges, loss, and pain among so many communities, which our hearts go out to all of them. The entire world being linked by one shared issue, the pandemic, has been an eye-opening revelation. With other major events and movements sparking conversations and progress in diversity and inclusion. In order to look forward, we must look back.

That is how we decided on the theme for this Spring/Summer issue of SWATCH. We understand that reflecting on the past is essential for future growth, while still looking at the road ahead in a light and positive view. We contrast the dull gray news of the past with bright and hopeful colors for forecasting an inspiring year ahead. Our inspiration derived from Pantone’s colors of the year, illuminating yellow and ultimate gray, which you can find more about on page 15 or on the lookbook at www.swatchbyamda.com.

This issue dives into the creative minds and capabilities of the students in the Apparel Merchandising and Design Association at Auburn University. By addressing important and relevant topics in fashion, beauty, career, and lifestyle, this issue is a true testament to the talent held in our organization. With useful information on shopping sustainably (p. 6) and the influence of apps and pop culture phenomenon on fashion (p.7, p.10, p.34), we learn about the power of consumer decision making in the industry. For valuable career information, discover the best ways to dress for an interview (p.26), what it’s like going to MAGIC (p.28), and how to create the perfect design portfolio (p.30). Our authors also share their favorite life hacks, from how to ‘home edit’ your beauty corner (p.24), to delicious recipes (p.33), to how to travel in style (p. 36). You can count on an engaging issue with each page having content from the top selected AMDA member submissions and the staff of SWATCH.

I am so thrilled to share the second issue of SWATCH with our readers and supporters! After the first issue got such an exciting response, I was over the moon with joy and ready to do it again. Being Editor-in-Chief, and starting this now multimedia platform, has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I am honored to lead an amazing team and blessed that it has brought new opportunities and a platform for expression to my peers. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this magazine a reality, especially our advisor Dr. Burnsed! I am eager to see how SWATCH grows in the future!

Sincerely,

SHANNON LUCKY, APPAREL MERCHANDISING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

SHOPPING SUSTAINABLY IN A FAST FASHION WORLD

BY HANNAH MAINS, APPAREL MERCHANDISING

Fast fashion has become increasingly popular in recent years. Although several brands/retailers have benefited economically, the mass production of and quick turnaround times for these goods has negatively impacted our global environment and local manufacturing communities socially around the world. Due to this, consumers should consider sustainable shopping options more often than not. Shopping consciously will ultimately have a positive effect on our environment, and it is a step in the right direction for the quality of our planet. The following are some tips to start shopping sustainably.

1. INFORM YOURSELF

Why is fast fashion so harmful? What does it mean to shop sustainably? How does shopping sustainably affect our environment versus not doing so? These are some questions you might ask yourself when it comes to this topic. I believe many of us are uninformed when it comes to sustainability and fast fashion. The fashion industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, and a lot of this income benefits unethical fashion brands. Do research on which brands have sustainable practices and which brands are considered “fast fashion”. Many apparel factory workers endure unsafe working conditions and unfair wages annually, lots of clothing companies are producing toxic chemicals and emissions into the air, and large amounts of clothing are being wasted every year. All of these issues are preventable or could be changed if each member of society was more self-aware and informed.

2. CHANGING YOUR SHOPPING PATTERNS

One way to change your shopping patterns is to research which companies are producing clothing in an unethical manner and then refraining from purchasing their items. Unfortunately, most of the hottest brands right now are fast fashion brands. I have definitely been guilty of shopping from fast fashion brands, but I want to change that. Look into what the best ethical and sustainable fashion brands are and give your business to them. Additionally, we can donate our gently-used and/or unwanted clothing to second-hand shops. Thrifting or shopping second-hand are fabulous ways to combat the growing global apparel waste problem. Ultimately, thrifting can be exciting and rewarding; you never know what you will find at unbeatable prices. Utilizing online second-hand retail platforms like Depop, Poshmark, and ThredUp are great ways to shop sustainably.

3. INFORM OTHERS AND ACT ON WHAT YOU’VE LEARNED

Informing and inspiring others to take an interest in shopping sustainably will start a positive change for our planet. Since we all inhabit this Earth, we should all put in effort to take care of it. Making a point to act on what you learn about sustainability in the fashion industry goes a long way, not only in the fashion industry but also the environment we live in. We can all work to shop sustainably to make our planet a more positive, high-quality, and healthy place to live.

IMAGES: HTTPS://WWW.BUTTONEDBEARS.COM/BUSINESSES/2020/2/1/CLAS-THRIFTS-ANDGOODS HTTPS://WWW.ECOTEXTILE.COM/2020081026509/FASHION-RETAIL-NEWS/ CONSUMERS-WANT-SUSTAINABILITY POST-COVID-20.HTML

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“CLASÉ THRIFT” IN WACO, TX

,

LET’S MAKE FASHION ROCK

In the past year, TikTok has risen to fame as it became an outlet for self expression and a cure for boredom during quarantine. The quick, minute-long videos provide escapism as well as a unique opportunity to express personal style. Users were able to dance away the lockdown, practice their smooth transitions, and share their personal style. 2020 has caused the TikTok platform to expand from more than “the renegade” or jamming along to “Say So” into a virtual fashion show and an outlet where global fashion trends are rising to fame.

2020 brought fashion week from the streets of New York to the comfort of our phone screens, and many high fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton and Prada chose TikTok as the primary platform for live streaming their shows. According to TikTok, fashion week live streams brought over 3 million viewers during the September shows. Models are an essential part of a fashion show, and model talent has expanded through TikTok. IMG Models, one of the biggest modeling agencies known for signing Bella and Gigi Hadid, has used TikTok as a source for scouting new talent. IMG recently scouted Wisdom Kaye, a popular TikTok user who is considered the best-dressed male on the app by his four million followers.

According to Jeni Rose, the Senior Vice President at IMG, TikTok has brought in success for the modeling industry because of unfiltered and unedited content and the way one minute videos allow for more personality to be expressed, all resulting in a more realistic idea of the users and how they interact with others. TikTok has worldwide accessibility from the comfort of home, bringing in a new wave of potential models from all over the world. Yes, 2020 was the year when sweatpants were considered “fashionable” and loungewear took the place of workwear, but it was also the year when Y2K fashion made its comeback. According to TikTok, the hashtag #Y2KFashion has over 58 million hits as users revived 2000s fashion. Notable 2000s brands such as Van Dutch and famous

IMAGES:

tracksuit brand Juicy Couture revived themselves in the fashion industry and had successful relaunches

EMERGING DESIGNERS & BRANDS TO WATCH IN 2021

THEOPHILIO

Edvin Thompson, creative director of this contemporary brand, finds inspiration for this Brooklyn-based label from his Jamaician heritage. The brand is proud to provide a space without conflict over gender roles, cultural values, practices, norms, and political engagement.

AHLUWALIA

Priya Ahluwalia is a London-based designer who was one of the recipients of the LVMH Prize, and she was noted on the “Forbes 30 under 30” European Arts and Culture List. She draws inspiration from her Nigerian, Indian, and Jamaican heritage in creating sustainable menswear.

KIKA VARGAS

Vargas was born in Bogotá and studied fine arts at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago & Fashion Design at the Istituto Marangoni in Milano. Her beautiful clothing line includes dramatic pieces and intricate fabrics.

TALLER MARMO

Founders Yago Goicoechea and Riccardo Audisio define their brand as a fusion of luxurious design with ‘60s- and ‘70s-inspired spirit.

SAMUEL GUI YANG

Samuel Guidon Yang and Erik Litzén met at the renowned Central Saint Martins of Art and Design. The pair created their brand with a holistic and sustainable mindset. They create beautiful womenswear inspired by a combination of Chinese and Western culture.

BRIDGERTON: ROMANTICIZING FASHION IN 2021

It’s 2021, which means it is highly likely that you have seen at least a glimpse of the new historicalromance, drama series Bridgerton if you have a Netflix subscription or any social media platforms.

The previous year was beyond trying for most individuals and it has been difficult to pinpoint exactly how to make our lives more blissful as we move forward. As if out of a daydream, many high-end designers have envisioned a whole new approach to their designs for their Spring/Summer 2021 collections: styles that are focused on obtaining these fairytale-like glances of a once antique, lavish aesthetic, now made present and accessible to consumers. This approach has been easily accepted, considering that soft lace and bright jewels are much more fine in comparison to a mundane, routine alternative. Intriguingly similar to Bridgerton’s costume visuals, designers have identified what consumers are looking forward to next in fashion.

With our daily lives lacking adventure, beauty, and romance, these fresh designs have utilized escapism and allowed us to fall deeper into childhood-like wonder and reverence. I don’t know about you, but I’m here for it. The whimsical styles on and off the runway right now are impacting the fashion society via varying platforms, but the most

impactful and interesting of these is the app TikTok. In fact, Millennials and Gen Z fashion gurus are so inspired by looks in the historical romance series Bridgerton that a compilation of “Get-Ready-WithMe” TikTok videos have transpired perhaps as a way to uplift us out of isolation and into an elevated society of high tea and royal balls.

With hand-embroidery, pearl embellishment for days, and stunning jewel tones and pastels, Bridgerton has revived our princess fantasies once again. The technique of embroidery that is forecasted to be popular in upcoming fall and winter styles was especially prevalent in this hit series. For example, Christian Dior’s whole SS21 Couture Collection showcases beautiful antique floral designs that fit within this whimsy daydream. These garments evoke feelings of places we long to travel to, people we’ve never met, and dreams yet to be discovered.

With an impressive count of over 7,800 hand-made dresses specially designed for this one series by costume designer Ellen Mirojnick, this new wave of dramatized silhouettes, colorful hues, and hand-stitched garments has inspired more than just fans of this elegant drama; it has evoked a passion for the historical flair of fashion and craftsmanship, which will trickle into upcoming fashion trends.

By Sara Kunkel, Apparel Merchandising

STUDENT FEATURE

MOOD BOARD BY SARA KUNKEL, APPAREL MERCHANDISING

STUDENT FEATURE

MOOD BOARD BY OLIVIA SEALS, APPAREL MERCHANDISING

STUDENT FEATURE

“CATS TANK TOP” AND “BLANKET CARDIGAN” MADE & MODELED BY FAITH OSBORN, APPAREL MERCHANDISING

PHOTO TAKEN BY EMMY SLOAN, APPAREL MERCHANDISING

Illuminate Now

PANTONE’S COLORS OF THE YEAR FOR 2021, ILLUMINATING YELLOW AND ULTIMATE GRAY, INSPIRED OUR VIEW OF HOW WE SEE THIS IMPACTFUL TIME IN OUR LIFE.

AS WE REFLECT ON THE EVENTS OF THE PAST YEAR, WE GROW INTO STRONGER AND BRIGHTER VERSIONS OF OURSELVES. JOIN US AS WE ILLUMINATE NOW.

SPECIAL MENTIONS: EARRINGS PROVIDED BY CHARMING OAKS

MODEL TALENT PROVIDED BY V MGMT HTTPS://WWW.VMGMTGROUP.COM/

Editorial Director: Shannon Lucky

Editorial Assistants: Deidre Dolan, Olivia Smith, Katie Griffith, & Angelique Cabanero

Photographer: Gillian Grice

Photographer Assistants: Savannah Klein & Kayla Hort

Videographer on set: Elizabeth Langner

Models: Melanie LaPorte and Makalei Shorter

Styling: Shannon Lucky & Deidre Dolan

Photgraphed by Gillian Grice

Photgraphed by Gillian Grice

Photgraphed by Gillian Grice

SWATCH STAFF PICKS

The staff of

has selected our favorite product recommendations in each of our four categories: Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle, and Career. For more product posts and tips from the staff, check us out on social media

STUDENT FEATURE

“HER SMIZE” PHOTO SUBMISSION BY YETUNDE AYINMIDE, APPAREL MERCHANDISING

PHOTOGRAPHER: AUSTIN POWELL STYLIST: YETUNDE AYINMIDE

MODEL: QUAYLA COURTLAND

A BEAUTY BRAND THAT’S ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY

BY KAITLYN REEDY, APPAREL MERCHANDISING

My beauty routine consists of a handful of brands from Kaja to Fenty. However, The Ordinary is one brand that has not only saved my skin like no other, but has also saved my wallet. The Ordinary is a skincare and makeup brand known for its simplistic and affordable products. As a broke college student, value has become increasingly important to me, and skincare can become terribly expensive. The Ordinary has allowed me to continue to have high-quality products that provide real results.

Owned by Decim, the Ordinary is a brand dedicated to creating quality products that are less harmful to the earth and animals. All of The Ordinary’s products are cruelty-free, which is an important factor to take into consideration when buying products. The brand works towards being entirely environmentally friendly, with compostable packaging and the utilization of alternative container materials.

As the name suggests, The Ordinary keeps things simple, which is one of my favorite parts about the brand. When it came to deciding which products were best for me, many brands do not explain what ingredients like salicylic acid and retinoids are; it honestly freaked me out not knowing what I was buying and, consequently, what these products might do. On each product made by The Ordinary, there is an explanation of each product and how they work. This made figuring out what would work for me much easier.

My two favorite products from The Ordinary are the Hyaluronic Acid with B5 and the Serum Foundation. Their product called Hyaluronic Acid is only $6.80 and lasts me a few months; it helps to improve moisture retention and leaves my skin looking dewy and healthy. Their serum foundation is a very light product and retails for only $6.70. This foundation is so light that I can apply it with my fingers, but it still does a good

job to even out my complexion for a fraction of its competition’s prices.

HOW TO ‘HOME EDIT’ YOUR BEAUTY CORNER

BY LONDON REEVES, APPAREL MERCHANDISING

If you’ve been looking for a sign to throw away that lip-gloss you have had since 2015, here it is. Your Urban Decay Naked palette? Probably time to toss that, too. If you are like most people, you have bought plenty of makeup over the years and

your beauty stash just keeps growing. A lip-gloss here, an eyeshadow palette there. Maybe you often catch yourself thinking, “I’ll use this one day, right?”. However, the truth is that if you haven’t used a lipstick shade in months, chances are you won’t end up using it again. For some reason, we tend to hold on to makeup items for way too long. Why do we pay attention to the expiration dates when it comes to food, drinks, and medicine while at the same time neglecting these dates on makeup products?

According to many beauty experts, it is important to toss items we know are past their ‘best by’ date to limit bacteria transmission onto our skin. Makeup products can go bad for many different reasons, but the number-one reason is that bacteria starts to grow inside these products. This is usually because we store our makeup in environments with moisture in the air (like a bathroom), and the constant opening and closing of those containers allow particles to get inside the product.

Here are a few simple ways to rein in your beauty corner, throw out the old, and only keep the products you truly need and use.

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1. Gather ALL of your makeup products together in one place and lay them all out on a towel or counter (not on the floor!).

2. Sort everything by type (e.g., moisturizer, foundation, blush, etc.).

3. Look through each category and weed out the products that you know are old or don’t use regularly. If you haven’t used it in three months, get rid of it.

4. Use the 20/20 rule- If you can replace the item in less than 20 minutes for under 20 dollars, toss it!

5. Have fun! Turn on some music or ask a friend to help you sort. Try out some products you haven’t used in a while- create a new look and trash the products you don’t like.

I compared many expert opinions with the average best-by dates and made the above chart for your reference. This is a quick look at how long you should keep each product. If you don’t remember buying the product...toss it!

Hopefully this inspires you to revamp your beauty collection and help your skin out by making sure all of your products are safe. If you want to really go in depth and get some new containers, check out The Home Edit’s new acrylic line for vanity and makeup storage! Their website has several inspo pics, and their clear containers make it exceptionally easy to access all your products.

The Sonia Kashuk line at Target also has many great organizers, and they are so beautiful with gold accents!

HOW TO DRESS AND NAIL YOUR INTERVIEW

BY OLIVIA SMITH, APPAREL MERCHANDISING

The fashion industry is extremely competitive, and interviews are intimidating; however, you are off to a good start if you know how to dress yourself appropriately while expressing your personal style. First impressions are everything, and looking the part is a great place to start. One of the very first things that a potential employer notices about you at the start of an interview is what you are wearing. The five clothing items listed are stylish, easy to put together, and flattering on a wide range of body types.

1. THE BLAZER.

If you don’t have a tailored, professional blazer, I highly recommend investing in one. When choosing one, you can never go wrong with black, but you may also want to consider a lighter color depending on the season. If you are wearing fitted bottoms, then I recommend wearing a longer blazer. The oversized look is very on-trend, but you don’t want it too oversized at the risk of looking grungy or casual.

2. THE PENCIL SKIRT.

Every young professional needs this staple in her closet. A black pencil skirt is usually the most flattering, but I recommend owning a range of solid colors that pair well with your wardrobe. It’s easy to throw this skirt on paired with a classic buttondown top and a long blazer. A pair of classic heels or flats will finish off this look.

3. THE MAXI DRESS OR SKIRT.

If you’re looking for comfort, a dress or long skirt is perfect. Longer is always better; you don’t want

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to worry about pulling it down when you are sitting in an interview. Loose and flowy is usually flattering so that you will feel comfortable and confident. A pair of heels and dainty jewelry will polish off this look.

4. THE SWEATER VEST.

One of my favorite new professional looks is wearing an oversized, long dress shirt with a sleeveless V-neck gingham sweater vest. American Threads first released the look a few months ago, and now you can find these sweaters everywhere (even on Amazon!). I recommend sizing up so it can be layered and still fit correctly. I would pair this with polished black jeans or even nice, unathletic leggings.

5. THE PANT SUIT.

Perfectly tailored dress pants, a button-down colored shirt and a matching blazer is a classic for a reason. If you are interviewing at a large corporate company, I would recommend this look. To show your personal style, wear stylish shoes, carry a colorful bag, and accessorize with jewelry, but don’t overdo it.

As individuals looking to begin a career in the fashion industry, we have so many opportunities to dress stylishly and professionally. You do not have to wear the classic black and white workplace look; if you are applying for jobs in the retail or fashion industry, you want your look to be memorable in a good way. In fact, it’s common for recruiters to ask you to describe your personal style. One final note to keep in mind is that your outfit should align with the company’s aesthetic, so always do research leading up to your interview.

DRESS TO IMPRESS

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A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC

It’s been hard on the apparel industry since COVID hit; factories shut down production for months, consumers believed that there was no need to buy apparel while staying locked inside, and everyone was terrified of the economic changes to come as a result.

Like many others interested in fashion, quarantine only fueled my creativity and desire to style. I was aware of the lack of apparel events taking place, but it was only when I started at The Tiny Closet Boutique that I really got to see first-hand how apparel and retail businesses were being impacted.

As large facets of the apparel and retail industry have opened back up, businesses have seen a glimmer of hope. Chances of attending lavish events, such as Fashion Week, market weeks, and PR events, have risen since the initial phases of COVID. While we are nowhere near getting thousands of people back together to view new designs on the runway, progress in this direction has been made nonetheless.

For example, the MAGIC Trade Show held a popup in Orlando, FL, February 9-11, 2021. In 1933, “MAGIC’’, an association also known as the Men’s Apparel Guild In Los Angeles, was founded. At that time, Los Angeles’ menswear manufacturers were displayed here. In 1942, the association held their first ever trade show. Only a short six years later, MAGIC would introduce manufacturers outside of L.A. and be renamed as Men’s Apparel Guild In California. From then on, it only continued to grow, finally adding women’s wear in 1995.

Knowing this, I was thrilled to be presented recently with the chance to go to this pop-up version of MAGIC with the Tiny Closet team. Unlike Atlanta & Dallas markets, measures were taken that caused serious controversy in the apparel community. To attend the event, you had to have a negative COVID test. This, to me, was not an issue after seeing how Auburn has been diligent to ensure that students are taking all measures to provide documentation that they are not carrying the virus; to some, however, this was a personal violation. In fact, many vendors and buyers pulled their registration when news reached them that they would have to be tested. Sadly, this meant

that the scale of the event would not be the same as normal.

Although it was not at the scale of past years, the first ever MAGIC pop-up was extremely cool. I got to hear business owners chat about the individual hardships they are facing in their regions with mandated restrictions, and I also was able to visit with business owners who haven’t been to market since February 2020. Being reunited with the industry after a year of being away clearly added a special glow and drive to the event.

As I spend more time hearing from people in the industry, I find specific jobs I would love to look further into, I get more and more excited for seasons to come, and I look forward to growing in my abilities.

The eagerness of the apparel industry will keep pressing forward, and let it be known that the world is going to go through a fashion revolution when all this chaos of a global pandemic is over.

BY ANNA KATE TAYLOR, APPAREL MERCHANDISING

PHOTO OF ANNA KATE WITH KELLY HELFMAN, COMMERCIAL PRESIDENT OF WWDMAGIC

CREATING THE PERFECT DESIGN PORTFOLIO

BY KATIE GRIFFITH, APPAREL DESIGN

As a fashion design student, there is one thought guaranteed to be circulating through my mind at any moment: will this look good in my portfolio?

Most students with majors where it is key to market yourself as capable, creative, and most importantly, hireable, experience the process of assimilating a professional portfolio. As I began my academic career as a freshman in Apparel Design and Production Management at Auburn in 2018, I remember tucking away projects in my beginning major courses in hopes that they may one day add to my portfolio. Now that I am a senior with a polished portfolio that has seen me through many applications, emails, and presentations, I have collected a few tips that I wish I could share with a younger, freshman me.

UTILIZE A FILE ON YOUR COMPUTER DESKTOP TO DROP ALL PROJECTS RELATED TO FASHION DESIGN AND MECHANDISING, RETAIL, AND OTHERWISE.

Perhaps you have a mood board you created in Aesthetics class, images from a photoshoot you coordinated, or are featured on a blog. Save these experiences in some way, such as creating a screenshot and saving as a jpeg, and file it away for the future. Just like a resume, a portfolio documents and describes professional experiences and accomplishments that speak towards the qualities that make you a skilled, well-rounded fashion designer. It becomes easy to lose files or forget that they even existed unless you create a habit of storing fashion projects in one place on your computer.

ON THAT SAME NOTE, DOCUMENT PHYSICAL PROJECTS AS SOON AS YOU CAN.

If you are anything like me, I constantly find myself creating, whether for a class or not. If you finish a sewn garment, illustration, product presentation poster, or any other physical project that showcases a skill of yours, document it with

a little “photoshoot” as soon as you can. I do not have fine-tuned photography skills, so I will either take photos with my iPhone, as long as I can find good lighting and background; otherwise, I will ask a friend with a camera to take photos for me at their convenience. These photos will be incredibly valuable when you begin recounting projects to feature in your portfolio (remember, if you didn’t get a photo, did it even happen?).

ORGANIZE AND DESCRIBE YOUR PROJECTS IN YOUR PORTFOLIO.

Once collecting and organizing images of your projects that you are choosing to feature in your portfolio, list them under correlating headings, such as “Sewn Garments”, “Illustrations via CAD”, and “Drawn Designs”. These can be denoted at the beginning of the portfolio in a table of contents as long as you include page numbers throughout your portfolio. It is also beneficial to include short descriptions throughout your portfolio document in order to highlight any specific details of projects.

GIVE CREDIT TO INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED WITH ANY PROJECTS FEATURED IN YOUR PORTFOLIO.

Crediting photographers, models, and any other individuals involved in your projects make you appear very professional and will also protect you from any plagiarism accusations. Potential employers appreciate this especially, as it shows attention to detail and thoughtfulness. Other fun, little details that I include to make my portfolio appear polished include matching your portfolio format and colors to your resume and giving your projects names, such as “Month of May Dress” for a sewn garment. I used Adobe InDesign and Illustrator to create and complete my own PDF portfolio.

IMAGE: HTTPS://CHELSSCHAPMAN.BLOGSPOT. COM/2019/06/FASHION-DESIGN-SKETCHES-PNG.HTML

“NIKE

BY KATIE GRIFFITH, APPAREL DESIGN

Bake a New Sweet Treat

BY ASHLEY HENTON, APPAREL DESIGN

One of my favorite hobbies for years has been baking. I’ve always loved how different variations of the same basic ingredients can make so many wonderful things. My go-to baked goods are typically cookies since they’re so simple, but I find myself getting into a baking rut whenever I constantly make the same chocolate chip cookies (even though I’m never disappointed by the end result).

To get out of this rut, I went back home and dug through my mom’s boxes of family recipes to find anything that stuck out that I otherwise couldn’t find online, and that’s when I rediscovered a forgotten staple from my childhood: pound cake. My family’s pound cake recipe used to be my go-to dessert, but over the years it was lost to time. And while yes, there’s plenty of pound cake recipes online, I’m always impartial to this one because nothing beats a traditional southern family recipe.

Pound cake is a true southern staple, and while it takes a bit more time than your average dessert, the result is always worth it. The best part about a pound cake is that it can be topped with so many different sauces, so you can pretty much have a different dessert each time you make it. It’s a decadent choice for a dessert,

and if you’re my family, great for leftovers the following morning for breakfast (toasted and lightly buttered). Quarantine has blessed us with plenty of time to learn new hobbies and try new things, so if you’ve never made a cake from scratch before, why not start with a tried and true family recipe?

RECIPE:

INGREDIENTS:

2 STICKS BUTTER

3 CUPS SUGAR

6 EGGS

3 CUPS FLOUR

¼ TSP BAKING SODA

1 CUP SOUR CREAM

1 TSP COCONUT EXTRACT

½ TSP BUTTERNUT EXTRACT

1. CREAM TOGETHER THE BUTTER AND SUGAR.

2. MIX EGGS IN ONE AT A TIME.

3. SIFT THE FLOUR AND BAKING SODA TOGETHER THREE TIMES.

4. STIR IN SOUR CREAM WHILE ALTERNATING WITH THE FLOUR MIXTURE.

5. STIR IN COCONUT EXTRACT AND BUTTERNUT EXTRACT.

6. GREASE AND FLOUR A CAKE PAN.

7. BAKE AT 300 DEGREES FOR 1 HOUR AND 30 MINUTES.

IMAGES: HTTPS://WWW.PINTEREST.COM/ PIN/28006828922271991/ HTTPS://WWW.AMAZON.COM/KOULANG-CLASSIC-ROLLING-HANDLES-PROFESSIONAL/DP/

HOW TO TAKE THE MOST FIRE PICS FOR YOUR FEED

BY ANGELIQUE CABANERO, APPAREL MERCHANDISING

As someone who finds a lot of joy in styling outfits and has a ceaseless, insatiable appetite for shopping, one of my favorite things to do is bring a friend to dress up and take fun aesthetic pictures for the gram. In this amazing age of technology, we are able to connect with others who have the same interests as us, and thus there is this never-ending cycle of constant inspiration we see on our feeds! This is why I love platforms such as Instagram, Tik Tok, and Pinterest: it’s a great way for me to see what the latest trends are and how people are styling them! Content creation has become an important skill in our digital age, so I will be sharing some great places to take outfit pics for your photo inspiration needs. After reading this article, I assure you that you will have the most fire fit pics for your Instagram feed!

PARKING GARAGES

I’m going to start off with my favorite place to take pictures: parking garages. The neutral and vast background really allows for your outfit to stand out in photos. There is also something really fun about driving around to find the perfect parking garage to take photos in. It is a bonus when the parking garage has really good lighting! The best time to take pictures at this location is around 3-5 p.m., which is golden hour! The sun will shine just the perfect amount, and it will make your fit pic pop! You can also drive all the way to the top of a parking garage and get the beautiful sky view in the background. And I find that in most cases, if you drive all the way to the top no one is usually there. This means you can take as many photos as you want without having to feel self-conscious that someone is watching you. If you are in the Auburn Area, the parking garage across JordanHare is a really fun one to take pictures in!

SOLID COLOR WALLS

Taking your photos in front of a solid color wall will help to draw more attention to your outfit rather than your surroundings. You can either try to find a wall that coordinates with the colors of

your outfit, or you can take a photo in front of a neutral background. If you decide to coordinate your outfit with the color of the wall, it will show just how much effort you put into taking the photo. If you opt to take a picture in front of a neutral wall, try to make your outfit contrast with your background. For instance, if you are posing in front of a white or beige wall, wearing a dark or black outfit will really capture the details you want to show off. The key to taking a good fit-pic is to make sure that the background is not distracting and doesn’t steal the shine of your amazing outfit you’ve styled! Downtown Opelika has some really happy-colored walls that would make for a great photo op!

COOL ARCHITECTURE

Posing in front of really cool architecture can add more interest to your photo as opposed to a solid color wall. For example, if you pose in front of a staircase, it can make for a really cool geometric background. Or, you can pose in front of windows on a building and play with the effect of the reflection. You can get creative with it and really level up your feed. What I recommend doing is bringing a friend and driving around town to find cool spots that you think would make for an eyecatching photo! Doing so makes for a fun day out with friends!

GROCERY STORES

Yes, you heard me: grocery stores! Now, I know you may be thinking, won’t people think I’m being so weird if I pose in front of the juice section? They may, they may not, but who cares if it means you will have the most bomb picture to post for your Instagram? In all seriousness, I totally understand the discomfort, but most people won’t pay any mind to it. And like I mentioned earlier, bringing a friend to take pictures with will make it so much easier and fun. The reason why I chose grocery stores as a spot to take photos in is because often

the aisles have really good lighting. This makes for an unlikely yet really great photoshoot spot, and the photo itself will come out super high quality. Also, there is just something about aesthetically organized food in the background that really gives off Pinterest vibes! Even if you are feeling slightly embarrassed posing in front of strangers, just remember: do it for the gram!

NATURE

Nature is a great place to start when looking for pretty backgrounds for the perfect outfit pic. You can go to a greenhouse and pose in front of some tropical plants, or you and your friends can set up a really cute and aesthetic picnic and take hundreds of photos! Taking pictures outside in front of nice greenery will offer amazing, natural lighting that just can’t be beat. It will make your skin glow, and you’ll feel even more confident! Just have fun taking the photos and don’t think too much into it; the best photos are shot when you feel confident and comfortable posing for them.

Now that I shared some photoshoot locations for your next outfit pic, I hope you feel inspired to experiment with your style while creating content that inspires! Fashion is such a great outlet to express yourself, and there is truly an art in carefully piecing an outfit together and shooting photos to capture your hard work. Remember that as long as you feel confident and beautiful in your outfit, no one can tell you otherwise. The beauty of fashion is that there are no rules regulating what you can wear; just do what feels right and proudly rock your outfit for the world to see!

PHOTOS BY ANGELIQUE CABANERO

TRAVEL IN STYLE

by Olivia Seals, Apparel Merchandising

Traveling and exploring new destinations is exciting. However, most of us end up dreading the idea of packing, staying organized, and finding the perfect fashionable travel outfit. Although we are still in the middle of a pandemic, many of us are often bored at home looking at Pinterest travel boards and dreaming about when we will finally go on a vacation again. Even if the only traveling you do is visit your family at home, the following are great items that will help you stay organized as you travel in style.

1.

These Quay sunglasses are great quality, and they are big enough to cover your face if you don’t want to be noticed while traveling.

(https://bit.ly/3qKWryT)

3.

Adidas sneakers are great because they are trendy, cute, and super comfy; even if you’re doing a lot of walking around the airport, your feet won’t ache wearing these.

(https://bit.ly/37SxL0b)

This jewelry organizer is perfect for travel because it prevents your jewelry from getting tangled up in your bag! (https://bit.ly/3unY0oS)

Stressing about where to put your dirty laundry while on your trip? Here is a cute bag that will keep all dirty clothing in one place.

(https://bit.ly/37AE9sI)

This makeup organizer is one of my best purchases ever. It keeps your makeup and brushes all organized and safe in one place and comes in a few different color options as well!

(https://bit.ly/3khyzAv)

A functional backpack is another travel essential. I found this one that is stylish, holds your laptop, and has other storage areas without being bulky. (https://bit.ly/2NsOG2b)

This adorable and compact pill case is essential! (https://bit.ly/2NlIgSC)

3.

6.

1. 2.

2.

4.

It is no secret that the monochromatic look has been a huge trend. An easy way to achieve this look is by getting your hands on a comfy matching lounge set, such as this one from Amazon, and adding matching accessories.

(https://bit.ly/3dBjcBE)

This silk mask is comfy, breathable, and will not remove your makeup nearly as much as other masks do.

(https://bit.ly/2NMC4mi)

Another important item everyone needs for travel is a suitcase. I have had the set that is pictured for a while and it’s great! Following this suitcase, I am sharing some other travel organization necessities to help you get the most out of your suitcase.

(https://bit.ly/3kc44vR)

This Louis Vuitton inspired passport holder is chic, practical, and affordable!

(https://bit.ly/2ZArHVd)

An electronics organizer is very important so that your cables don’t get tangled.

(https://bit.ly/3aGdTPC)

If you find yourself often bringing multiple pairs of sunglasses on trips, you need to invest in a travel sunglasses organizer! This item keeps multiple pairs in one small box. I found this one that comes in a pretty marble design, and it holds five pairs of sunnies!

(https://bit.ly/3unPxSj)

Packing cubes are also a great way to separate your luggage and be able to find your belongings easier during a trip.

(https://bit.ly/2Mbdawe)

9. 10.

BY EMMA ROBINSON, APPAREL MERCHANDISING

Pandemic Planning

I’ve been dreaming about my wedding for pretty much my entire life: the dress, the flowers, the invitations, the whole nine yards. Did I think I’d be wedding planning during a global pandemic? Absolutely not, but here I am!

My fiance Keanu is a marine living in Florida, but he came up to Auburn to visit for New Year’s Eve this past December. Little did I know that he had a plan before we rang in the new year. As a short backstory, he had hired a photographer to have some photos taken of us as a Christmas gift to me since we didn’t have many together due to the nature of a long distance relationship. This was supposed to be the moment he popped the question. I was super excited and planned the perfect outfit… still unaware of the intention behind this photoshoot. Sadly, 20 minutes before we were going to walk out the door, mother nature decided to dump a rainstorm on us. It goes without saying that this is very on-brand for 2020. With this minor setback, he was determined to ask me to marry him on New Year’s Eve, and at 10:30 p.m. in the middle of my apartment living room he was on one knee.

So here we are in the year 2021, hoping for a fresh start and happier times. But Covid-19 is still pressing on, and the possibility of being a “covid bride” is very real. On top of that, I’m trying to finish my last two semesters of college and complete an internship. With Keanu in Florida, me in Alabama, my family in Colorado, and his family in Nebraska, we’ve pretty much made long distance our specialty. Oh, and my six bridesmaids live in five different states as well! Adding a global pandemic to this mix is simply icing on the wedding cake. One positive factor that has resulted from Covid-19 is that most brides and vendors were prepared to figure out wedding planning from a distance via zoom and social media. I have found myself getting lost on “wedding TikTok” and utilizing online planning tools to help settle all of the details.

We have decided to do our wedding on a budget, and unfortunately that means no wedding planner. Now don’t get me wrong, I cannot wait to come up with all the D.I.Y. decor and projects, but I have been to less than 10 weddings in my life, and it has made me realize just how clueless I am! There are so many dos and don’ts when it comes to wedding etiquette, but buying a detailed wedding planner book has been my saving grace. The Knot is an all-inclusive wedding planner, and it even has a free wedding planning app and website, both of which have become my new best friend. It is a great online resource to build wedding registries, websites, budgeting tools, and just about

any other detail I had not yet thought of. I am all about organizational tools, and The Knot is a great resource. There are also a few other free wedding planning resources such as Wedding Wire and Zola.

Another unexpected but very helpful tool for wedding planning has been TikTok. I never thought I would turn to this app for hacks, tips, and tricks to plan my wedding, but I am a full-blown fanatic at this point. My “For You Page” is almost exclusively wedding dress try-ons, budgeting hacks from past brides, and insightful advice from wedding planners and photographers. Surprisingly, I have learned a lot from all these videos, and I have even started posting videos myself to document my wedding day countdown and how the details are coming together. I literally even came up with my bridesmaid proposals from another bride’s video posted on TikTok! Even though I am very early on in the wedding planning process, the challenges of Covid-19 have been very evident. Trying to plan a wedding during a global pandemic while also maintaining my schedule as a full time student is nothing short of challenging, but I am loving every last minute of engaged life. After all, being the future Mrs. Keanu Mendez has a nice ring to it!

PHOTO PROVIDED BY EMMA ROBINSON

The Fashion Event Planning Class

The Fashion Event Planning Class is open to all apparel students in the College of Human Sciences. There is a selective application process where candidates must decide why they would be a valuable addition to the planning team. Within the class, students are divided into various committees such as decorations, styling, modeling, public realtions/social media, creative, and media.

Being a part of the Fashion Event means devoting a year to developing the show. We start planning, fleshing out ideas, and raising money in August of the school year. Each committee has a job to do through the year. In the fall we decided on the theme of Emergent. We believed that this theme was representative of today’s climate. Our idea behind Emergent was a sort of “coming out of the woods”; the movement from darkness to light. We wanted to shine a light on the hope that will come out of a time that seemed so dark because of the hard year 2020 dealt. This year’s show is going virtual due to Covid-19. We have had to reconstruct the show and come at it at a different angle. As a class, we have researched about virtual fashion shows and how they have been executed. We took a lot of inspiration from New York Fashion Week’s structure and other college’s virtual fashion shows.

This year’s virtual event can be accessed via The CADS & AMDA Fashion Event at Auburn University YouTube Channel and our social media platforms on Facebook and Instagram.

STUDENT FEATURE

ON PAGE: MERCHANDISING PROJECT BY REBECCA PHILLIPS, APPAREL MERCHANDISING

TO THE LEFT: GARMENT DESIGNS BY GRACE BROWN,

APPAREL MERCHANDISING

STUDENT FEATURE “CIRCLES” DESIGN PROJECT BY ELIZABETH LANGNER, APPAREL DESIGN