Blush Magazine - Fall 2019

blush Fall 2019

ferromagnetic fashion

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blush Fall 2019

Editor-in-Chief Creative Director

nicole o. plonski emily kelly

Art Director

jenna solomon

Fashion Director

tevin consiglio

Beauty Director Photo Director

artie medina tina dirosa

Photo Editor

mauricio zelaya

Public Relations Director

isabella hurtado

Managing Editor Senior Fashion Editor Senior Beauty Editor Senior Culture Editor Editorial Assistant Web Director Web Creative Director Treasurer Advisor

Art and Design

ashley chon emily altieri kiana clevinger justine golata ava king elizabeth donohue jenna carapezza amanda baganha laura hatmaker

colette antonaccio, joffre contreras, gabrielle hernandez, jerry hsiao, audrey sylvyana

Photography

hailey burling, maya das, ashley freundner, jenna gardner, naomy guzman, john groves, blakely harrison, veronika kindred-dieter, dinh ly, mia murphy, ni ouyang, mary philion, siena saba, grace tran, cat trzaskowski, jacqueline vu, thomas williams, jiaqi yin, jinyi zhao

Fashion

assibi ali, kristian brown, victoria downey, jillian garofolo, lee golish, kathrine hu, alexis koczwara, petra lavin, daniel loughran, nadja monet, kennedie o’byrne, taralyn peck, chandler rankin, nayla rizkalla, adeline scholtes, hannah shelbaya, christina saint-clair, rylie ward, danielle zbodula, taylor zucosky

Beauty

sweekriti dahal, concetta defabrites, aryon holley, alexis keith, jada nolan, danielle parkes, nicolas pineiro, julianna portante, regis price, michele reynoso, hannah rongo, ines santos, kayla steele

Blush is produced by the students of the Fashion Institute of Technology, part of the State University of New York, with funds provided by the FIT student government association. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination in its programs, activities, and employment, whether based on race, color, nation origin, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military service status, genetic information, pregnancy, familial status, citizenship status (expect as required to comply with law), or any other criterion prohibited by law. Inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy may be directed to the affirmative action officer/title IX coordination, (212) 217-3360, titleix@fitnyc.edu. Š 2019 Blush Magazine, Fashion Institute of Technology

masthead

Fall 2019

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contents 04

Letter from the Editor

fashion 06

Let the Fashion Talk for Once

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Bring on the Bling

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Purely Patricia

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Thongs and Things

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Zero Wasted, Everything Gained

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Monogram Madness

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Student Features

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Fashionably Faux

26 Fashionably Faux

beauty 34

CBD Meets Skincare

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Wonder of the Wig

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Extreme Lengths

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The Wet Look

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Long Live the Red Lip

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Raw Files

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Not So Literal Fall 2019

52 Not So Literal

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ferromagnetic culture 60

All Hail the New Rap Royalty

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To the Sky and Back

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Lawfully Attracted

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Ramblings from a Coffee Addict

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Did Someone Say Sex?

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Breaking the Social Media Lens

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Say Squeeze

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Me: a Meme

72 Me: a Meme

on the cover Photography by Thomas Williams, Fashion by Tevin Consiglio and Nicole Plonski, Makeup by Artie Medina and Hair by Ines Santos.

Shirt H&M Jacket Aritzia Earrings Me&Hz Necklaces I.AM.GIA Charming Charlie’s Handpicked Hardware LDN Gold Presidents

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Suit Versace (New York Vintage) Earrings STAYJOY

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letter from the editor

nicole o. plonski Editor-in-Chief You are currently, were previously, and after finishing this sentence, still are in a magnetic field. As humans, we are constantly experiencing and reacting to the push and pull of things new, old, reinvented, and outdated. The influence of these electrical charges keeps our zeitgeist in motion.

Ferromagnetic is a theme that pervades the Fall 2019 issue of Blush.

The thought process behind the issue’s content was based on the level of its magnetic presence to a viewer. It is understood that we gravitate toward what we so longingly desire, what we feel that we need at any given moment, what catches our attention in a split second of time, and what our surroundings have led us to believe is trending. In the creation of my last issue as editor-in-chief, I wanted to analyze our time for what it is right now in the world of fashion, beauty, and culture. Along the way, a physics term that might seem unfamiliar to us at first was taken out of its original context and given a more figurative meaning. My hope is that anyone can find themselves shifting their eyes in the direction of the final result, and landing on at least one page, one image, one article that persists in claiming their interest.

Now that it has all been said and done, the past couple months of dayin and day-out work are an archive of memories that I will always keep close to my heart. To my team that has welcomed every single one of my ideas and articulated them creatively for all to see, I wish you happiness in your future endeavors; that you will be successful in whatever you do is inevitable. To my advisor, you should know your every initiative at lending a helping hand is appreciated. To contributors that have entrusted us to showcase their talent, this magazine would not be this ferromagnetic without you. To all, including those that have communicated their support over the last year, two words is not enough to express all my gratitude, so I will repeat them a few times. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank YOU. Now flip the page and enjoy.

All smiles and with style,

letter from the editor

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let the fashion talk for once Text maggie mcgarry

Discussing the who, what, where, why of clothing is the job of every fashion critic.

But if your clothing had a voice of its own, what would it say? We hit the campus of FIT to ask some of the most fashionable students and professors in the world this question.

“Howdy, girlfriend. Where are you from?” colton, fbm

“Iron me.” khai, fine arts “I am sparkly,

“Sassy, but make it fashion.” jessica, fd

Try harder.” claudia, fbm

“Another oversized shirt?

“Stop drowning me in perfume.” nicole, cd

“Stop suffocating me with a belt.” adam, fbm “I wish we weren’t in competition with other clothes in our

Don’t wear me with that.” gianna, fbm “Leggings, again.” emily, fbm 06 06

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“I hope I’m fashionable fashion

“Choose a decade already.” caitlin, fd “I’m definitely doing her justice.” caroline, amc “Come on now! There’s ketchup on me …” rangel, illustration

and a hot mess.” aline, fbm

“I’m colorful.” daniella, amc

“We’re very down to earth and simple.” alyssa, cfm

What are you, a VSCO girl?” alina, tdm “What have you done?” emily, fbm

“We don’t match.” hannah, fb

wardrobe … ” professor chrysoulagitsoulis, philosop

“Let’s get to work.” alyssa, cd

enough for fashion school!” anonymous professo fashion

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Jacket Mistress Rocks Pants Maria Maria Choker New York Vintage Earrings Maria Maria

Hair julianna portante Makeup nicolas pineiro Model evelyn scudder Fashion Asst. alexis koczwara 69

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bring on the

bling The attractive qualities of sparkle and shine go beyond what meets the eye.

Text katie strickland Photography cat trzaskowski Fashion amanda baganha

As humans, we are all attracted to the gleam of a piece of jewelry or the shine of embellishments on an otherwise plain piece of clothing. “Bling” is even embedded in our cultural traditions, like wearing a ring on your left hand to signify that you are married. Many of us have a favorite piece of jewelry that we wear constantly or that has sentimental value. But why are jewelry and embellishments so prevalent in today’s world?

This innate attraction to the shinier things in life might not be random according to marketing scholar Vanessa M. Patrick. She theorizes that this attraction could be credited to one of the most basic human needs: water. Our brain associates shine or gloss with water and therefore when we see such characteristics in a necklace or on a piece of clothing, we are more inclined to like it.

Whatever the underlying reason is, “bling” has a powerful way of drawing us in.

When we think “fashion” we automatically picture the garments a designer creates.

Often times, we forget about jewelry and embellishments and their importance to a design. The word embellishment means to add something to make it more attractive. Designers add beads or jewels to a piece to give it life. These add-ons are just as important as the fabric they adorn. Similarly, stylists do the same for their clients to help elevate a look and add glamour to it.

Many designers use different mediums of embellishments as an integral part of their designs. Couture designers often take it to a new extreme. Their pieces feature yards of hand-beaded fabrics and statement-making jewelry. Elie Saab is a great example of this.

The designer’s collections would not be the same without their jewels and blinged-out embroidery. Not every designer uses this over-the-top approach, as some prefer more subtle details. Sally LaPointe is known for her monochromatic, chic separates. She has yet to put gaudy jewels on the runway, but instead uses lustrous fabrics. She fea-

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tures statement sequin pants and high-gloss, latex-like looks often with no jewelry at all.

Regardless of the approach a designer uses, most have a “shine” factor.

Some designers are specifically focused on jewelry and accessories and have curated a strong societal presence. The iconic movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s illustrates how Tiffany & Co. represents more than just a brand. They are a cultural symbol of wealth and class, similar to other highly desirable brands like Cartier. Not all jewelry is expensive in today’s world, however. The demand for cheaper accessories and clothing has risen exponentially, giving birth to fast fashion.

These retailers produce cheap and trendy jewelry for consumers at high-turnover rates.

This has made jewelry much more accessible to different people. One is now able to accessorize at any price point.

Regardless of why the world is attracted to bling, it’s clear it is a force in fashion that is here to stay. From couture to everyday wear, it surrounds us. Jewelry allows us to express ourselves and our cultures in unique ways.

No one is exempt from the gravitational pull of shine, despite of where one travels. Fashion and even our own closets would not be the same without a little bling. There is something shiny out there for all of us, no matter what our tastes are.

“our brains associate shine or gloss with water and therefore when we see that in a necklace or on a piece of clothing, we are more inclined to like it.”

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urely

patricia

Take a master class on embracing the person you’ve always wanted to be.

Text riley jordan Photography tina dirosa Fashion purely patricia

Headpiece Kokin Coat Annaiss Yucra Mancilla Eyewear Anne & Valentin Earrings Model’s Own Skirt Novis Shoes Purely Patricia

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purely

patricia As we sat, Patricia adjusted the layers of her outfit one by one. After a comment I made about her shoes, she recalled, “I wore these shoes once and a little girl was staring [at me]. Her mother tells her, ‘Don’t stare, it’s not polite.’ But I mean, look at me. I would be staring too if I were her age.” The memory made Patricia scoff in disbelief, because to her, the daughter was appreciating her statement shoes.

Patricia also emphasized the importance of being good to people. “If you’re going to go out into the world and dress the way I do, you have to be a good person,” she says.

Patricia believes that people are bound to stare if you stand out from the crowd, so you should be kind to them, as they are simply admiring your work.

It’s a sunny Saturday in Manhattan, and I’m watching how my interviewee, covered in layers of tulle and countless accessories, thrives in front of the camera. “Do I get to be on the cover?” asks Patricia Fox, better known as Purely Patricia. She is on her second outfit change—a change the editorial staff does not see coming, as her everyday look is extravagant enough for a magazine photo shoot. Patricia doesn’t see it that way.

She unzips her dress bags and puts on colorful tights, a pair of shoes she made herself—not designed, as she explained to me that there is a very real and important difference. She then continues to manage herself into a tulle skirt and a blue sequin top layered underneath a sheer, pink, polka dot dress. As for accessories, she adorns a dimensional plastic headband, a pair of neon yellow glasses, shapely earrings, a multicolored spiky necklace, and multiple rings over pretty pink gloves. The last of all the layers was a plastic coat that Patricia believes ties the whole outfit together. “I’m an assemblage artist,” she says. “I love to put stuff together. That’s the gift that I actually have.”

After the shoot, we took a walk to a more private space. Patricia chose an orange seat to sit on as she offered me a bright pink one because it matched my sweater. Thus began my opportunity to understand the person behind the fashion.

fashion fashion

“Purely Patricia is a description of a personal style,” she explained to me. “Years ago, when people started to do fashion, they would ask, ‘Who are you wearing?’ and everybody would say, ‘I’m wearing this designer or that designer.’” Patricia, however, does not consider herself as a label person, so when asked the same question, she would simply answer, “This is Purely Patricia.”

Although Patricia’s exuberant looks are often appreciated and marveled at, there are of course moments where Patricia encounters people who don’t quite understand her.

She remembers a time when she was being pointed at and made fun of in public.

“That’s mean-spirited. If you’re not happy with yourself, you can’t be happy for other people,” she says about the incident. “The bottom line is—I don’t want to look like them,” she continued. “People dress down because they want to disappear, and I’m not a person who disappears.”

Patricia is able to dress the way she does because she loves the person that she is. “I am my own canvas and my dressing room is the palette,” she says. Her experiences as an artist have led her to understand a vital lesson: If you are confident in who you are, then nobody can judge you or find fault in you, and if they do, you should “run in the opposite direction.”

“if you’re not happy with yourself, you can’t be happy for other people.”

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thongs and things Once just a cheek-baring undergarment, the thong now reveals itself outside of traditional norms.

Text leah coulter Photography ni ouyang Fashion nicole plonski

“from red carpets to haute couture runways, the emergence of thongs in pop culture challenged societal notions about who, where, why, and how the thong should be worn.”

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When we think about thongs, many famous names come to mind. Britney Spears performing on stage wearing nothing but a bedazzled bra and thong in 2000. Paris Hilton’s numerous thong-baring looks throughout the early 2000s. Kendall Jenner’s see-through dress-thong combo that dropped jaws at the 2017 Met Gala. Jennifer Lopez bringing the trend full-circle in low-rise trousers and a matching thong. Besides turning heads nationwide, these women have shaped the meaning of the undergarment throughout the past two decades.

period, thongs became increasingly normalized as a result of pop culture. Cher’s signature thong one-piece worn throughout her Love Hurts tour in 1992 marked the beginning of a new era: the golden age of the thong.

Sales soared with the new concept of the visible panty line, commonly referred to as VPL. This, from a functional standpoint, became a major concern for women, who wore thongs to avoid this faux pas. Additionally, the “whale tail” trend, which refers to the taillike effect achieved when worn with low-rise pants, came into existence.

Shockingly, the legacy of the thong as we know it originated nearly a century ago in New York City at the 1939 World’s Fair. The fair’s World of Tomorrow–themed exhibition showcased many new groundbreaking inventions, ranging from the first television to robot dogs. In the midst of this cultural mecca was an equally revolutionary development: a prototype of the modern G-string, created in response to Mayor Fiorello La Guardia’s order for burlesque dancers to “cover up” during their performances. From its conception, the thong’s image has gone hand in hand with a sexualized portrayal of the women wearing it. Since then, these obsolete societal constructs of gender and sexuality have been challenged while maintaining a “scandalous” reputation. In doing so, the question arises, If not for male consumption, what is the thong’s purpose?

From red carpets to haute couture runways, the emergence of thongs in pop culture challenged societal notions about who, where, why, and how the thong should be worn. Instead of trying to conceal them, designers intentionally created thongs that were made to be seen. The flashy “double-kissing-G” emblem attached to a G-string from Gucci by Tom Ford’s spring 1997 collection remains iconic. Now a part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s permanent collection, the garment’s new cultural meaning is established. Worn by men and women alike, being more than just underwear, thongs with butterflies and other kitschy designs make them statement pieces in themselves. In recent years, celebrities and influencers including Kendall Jenner, Hailey Baldwin, Bella Hadid, Alexa Demie, and Rihanna have worn similar pieces.

Throughout the past decade, the answer has shifted. From the ’60s to the ’70s, images of women in thongs were used to advertise a variety of traditionally masculine products, such as liquor and cars. Men in power ultimately had ownership over the garment for marketing purposes until the ’90s. Throughout this

The rise of thongs yet again reveals a pattern greater than the thong itself. Throughout history, its purpose and meaning has gone through a series of transformations, refusing to be bound by a single interpretation.

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Jeans Levi’s Thongs Cotton Whisper

Model natalie preston Fashion Asst. kristian brown fashion

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Suit Moschino (New York Vintage) Bags Calvin Klein

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monogram madness Letters and logos dominate runways and streets as personal branding also embraces this outspoken trend.

Text emily altieri Photography jenna gardner Fashion nicole plonski, nayla rizkalla

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Luxury, wealth, status, and clout are all terms associated with the look of drenching your body in head-to-toe high-end logos. The repeating patterns are exercised in a variety of styles, colors, and garments that all catch the eye’s attention. However, this label trend does not just extend to the likes of a repeating “LV” logo and a Gucci emblem. Many people are even adding personal monograms to emphasize who they are through their clothing.

Although this trend has taken off over the past few seasons, logos have been around for years. For example, the classic Louis Vuitton “LV” was created at the end of the 19th century. Since then, it has been transformed and designed in a multitude of fashions.

The same goes for other classic logos such as the Fendi “FF,” Dior’s oblique canvas print, and Gucci’s interlocking G pattern.

One monogram craze began in the ’90s and early 2000s when everyone and their mom had a branded baguette bag slung over their shoulder. Now, nearly 20 years later, this trend has resurfaced in maximum capacity.

New and fresh designers have especially been contributing to this, including Supreme, Vetements, and Off-White. The Supreme trend stormed the industry over the last year or two, plastering everything from bandages to sweatshirts in the repeating red-and-white logo. Vetements has taken its turn to make signature sneakers branded with their name. Each day, these designers are finding new ways to emphasize creativity and brand identity.

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Personal branding like initial jewelry has joined the trend as well. Some people are even rocking custom embroidered letters on their jackets, and shirts airbrushed with similar motifs. Many brands have started to offer free monogramming on a variety of items including leather goods and denim.

Overall, monograms have stormed the industry in a multitude of ways. A rainbow of logos arches over the trends we know and love today. Whether you choose to rock a small statement piece or a fully monogrammed

ensemble, your participation in the trend is noticed. If there was ever a time to stray from normal patterns and solid colors into a world of emblems, it would be now.

“more than just tiny bags with fun prints, people are now rocking head-to-toe labeled looks.�

Shoes JD Adams Tights Gucci Bag Louis Vuitton Bag Fendi

Hair jada nolan Makeup sweekriti dahal Model jordan sadie Fashion Asst. rylie ward Photo Asst. jacqueline vu

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Hat MCM Top Dior Scarf Fendi Bag Gucci

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student features

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Photography siena saba

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Fashion Design by (from left to right)

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taylor zucosky daniel loughran victoria downey lee golish nadja monet 21

White Pants My Mum Made it (Dolls Kill)

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Hair regis price, hannah rongo Makeup concetta defabrites, alexis keith Models (from left to right) elizabeth mendez, nick coello-zichittella, selma becirovic, alexandra vorontsova, natalie preston Fashion Asst. jillian garofolo Photo Asst. grace tran

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fashionably faux

Text Hannah Militano Photography Ashley Freundner Fashion Tevin Consiglio, Petra Lavin, Nicole Plonski, Hannah Shelbaya

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On the left: Jacket ASOS Dress Marimekko Bag Okhtein Earrings Stylist’s Own On the right: Jacket House of Sunny Shirt Marimekko Bag Jacquemus Tights Stylegaga Shoes Zara

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On the left: Jacket Thrifted Vintage Shirt Zara Vest Three Pigs Vintage Skirt Zara Shoes Urban Outfitters Scarf Thrifted Vintage Earrings Chanel On the right: Jacket Seymour Paisin Shirt Zara Skirt Ganni Shoes Urban Outfitters Bag Fendi Hat Urban Outfitters Necklace Louis Vuitton Earrings Urban Outfitters

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“We can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the total exploitation and commodification of animals.�

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Fashion has entered a time of wild growth where fur is considered a foe & faux is a friend.

“Fur? I’m out of that.” The quote grabbed headlines in early 2018. Donatella Versace, queen of all that is bright and boisterous in fashion, released a statement regarding her decision to eliminate fur from her subsequent collections. Now, dozens of luxury fashion houses have joined her and have pivoted their views on authentic fur.

From the times of old Hollywood, fur has been seen as fashion’s ultimate luxury musthave. Not very many garments convey the level of drama a large fur coat can. Leading ladies such as Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, and Elizabeth Taylor all flawlessly donned exotic pelts in their day. However, we cannot ignore the incredibly dangerous effects this beloved staple is having on our ecosystems and environment.

Brand loyalty comes to those companies that align themselves with their consumers’ core values. Gucci opened the floodgates when creative director Alessandro Michele ushered in the latest round of designer declarations to oust animal fur from their future collections. His influence was felt by the entire industry, and the announcement reverberated throughout the wider fashion community. From Gucci came Versace, Michael Kors, and Prada, all pledging to break away from their use of fur.

Despite the massive number of designers extinguishing fur from their shows, the fur industry has maintained a tenacious presence within the global fashion community.

While there may be an uptick in the popularity of its faux counterpart, fur has long been seen as the paradigm of over-the-top wealth and exclusivity.

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What’s fashion to do? Abandon one of our most glamorous and timeless loves? Never.

It is 2019 and we have access to more innovative technology than ever before. Faux fur is the eco-friendly alternative to this bold and sought-after look. By using the seemingly identical substitute, we may significantly reduce our harmful impact on our planet without compromising.

However, with so much information at our fingertips, we’re inundated with negative statistics on almost everything we wear. At times, it feels as though we are cornered into choosing the lesser of two evils. While the complex debate between fur versus faux has long been ensuing, this issue has ignited many a contradictory claim.

We can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the total exploitation and commodification of animals. Approximately 85 percent of skins are derived from animals housed in fur factory farms. These institutions are held to very little regulation. They house thousands of animals in absurdly small confinements and horrific conditions. Relentless drive for profits concludes in the loss of biodiversity, paired with a grotesque amount of chemicals that are used to tan, dye, and treat skins.

Recently, the anti-fur movement reached a groundbreaking milestone when California became the first state in America to officially ban authentic fur. Beginning in 2023, the legislation will prohibit both the manufacturing and sale of all new fur products, addressing society’s shifting perspective on the issue.

Faux fur has been labeled the more ecological and ethical choice of the two, but there still may very well be lingering negative environmental impacts. As the fur industry points out, imitation fur is synthetic and isn’t biodegradable. With every wash, artificial fibers shed microplastics into waterways, harming marine ecosystems.

Luckily, there happens to be a solution to each of these issues. Patagonia produces a laundry bag to trap garments’ microfibers, preventing them from leaking into our water. In regards to manufacturing, faux fur can be created from bamboo and hemp derivatives as opposed to plastic. Stella McCartney, who is among fashion’s beloved environmental champions, exclusively uses her signature “Fur-Free-Fur” in her products.

Her latest recipe for faux fur consists of corn and recycled polyester, and she declared the material holds a lower carbon footprint than most other imitation materials.

Fur has retained its status in fashion for far too long. The time for the second skin to meet its match is here. We need not destroy as a means to create. It is incumbent that we realize that this is just as much about us as it is about the animals. We are all in the same metaphorical boat in terms of this dire environmental crisis. We have a responsibility to leave the world better than we found it and faux is making the future of fashion look a little brighter each day.

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On the left: Jacket Opening Ceremony Sweater H&M Dress Alexander Wang Bag Zakia Shop Earrings Stylist’s Own On the right: Jacket ASOS Pants ASOS Bag Hermes

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On the left: Jacket St. Johns Bay Shirt Thrifted Vintage Skirt Urban Outfitters Shoes Model’s Own Earrings Stylist’s Own On the right: Jacket ASOS Bodysuit All Fun Shoes Model’s Own Scarf ASOS Hat Opening Ceremony Earrings Luv AJ

Hair Regis Price Makeup Artie Medina Models Rieko Copeland, Danielle Zbodula Fashion Asst. Assibi Ali Photo Asst. Mary Philion

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cbd meets skincare Find out how and why to make room in your skin care regimen for CBD, the industry’s new cure-all.

Text phoebe beirne A natural ingredient that has found its way into the mass market, cannabidiol or CBD, is now being integrated into everyday routines. Derived from the leaves of the hemp plant, CBD oil has many properties, one of which is said to improve skin texture and tone. No matter what skin issue you have, it’s probable this oil will help, not hurt.

CBD has the potential to work magic on your skin thanks to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties.

Vitamins A, D, and E along with essential fatty acids are ready to visibly nourish your skin if used on a regular basis. People need a daily dose of vitamins both inside and out, so this is a major reason it has become sought-after everywhere. Whether beauty brands add CBD to a facial cream, cleanser, exfoliator, or serum, it can replace an entire shelf of skin care products.

Unavoidable situations such as pollution and stress are common triggers of skin inflammation.

To stop acne in its tracks, an application of CBD oil can soothe the skin, diminish any redness, and help prevent future breakouts.

Many of these flare-ups are also caused by an overproduction of sebum, an oil naturally

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produced by our skin. Research has demonstrated this leaf-derived extract can decrease and regulate that pesky oil production. Those with cystic acne might also want to add CBD to their cart for its pain-killing benefits.

While we can’t stop the aging process, CBD might be your answer to minimizing the appearance of wrinkles, brightening dull skin, and concealing the loss of collagen, a protein which gives us that youthful look. Skin care experts recommend starting to use anti-aging products in your 20s, but those with more mature skin can take advantage of it now.

If you want to try this plant-based derivative, there are a multitude of options. The Emerald face oil by Herbivore nourishes and hydrates the skin. Kiehl’s Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate is another well-loved product which decreases inflammation. Flora + Bast has also created a product called Age Adapting CBD Serum for your anti-aging needs.

Leave it to 2019 to put CBD and beauty in the same sentence, and then have everyone rave about it.

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wonder of the wig Neon to natural, the power and versatility of a wig laces itself into a vast range of lifestyles.

Text katyana avila Art jerry hsiao

For the average millennial, sticking with one task or hobby for an extended amount of time is nearly impossible. Microsoft concluded that this generation has the attention span of a goldfish. Nonetheless, this fast-paced group has a style that is ever-changing, resulting in the need for a dynamic solution. In comes the wonderful wig.

Previously seen as something to complete your Ariel mermaid Halloween costume or as an item to disguise hair loss, wigs are now in the spotlight and continuing to gain traction. Celebrities like Kylie Jenner are wearing teal blue hair on the red carpet, Ariana Grande is donning her iconic long high ponytail, and YouTube influencers like Niki and Gabi are releasing hair extension lines. The hair you choose to wear can mimic celebrity styles, recreate iconic looks from the past, or revamp your everyday appearance.

Although they may be synthetic, wigs can allow a person to be their most true self or someone else for a change. You may find a vibrant green isn’t “you,” but a pastel pink might be the perfect fix for a haircut gone wrong. With a plethora of styles and colors, freedom and experimentation can take center stage.

This fluidity in personal style has the ability to empower people of all beauty routines. It frees them from a societal box, and pushes how they define themselves. Dyeing your hair is often expensive, harmful to the hair itself, and switching up colors can

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be an irritating process. Who has the commitment to stick to one hue for months, and who has the time for multiple visits spent sitting in a salon chair? Wigs eliminate the fear of the permanent and open up a person’s schedule.

Before the wig was normalized for the masses, drag queens had been using them to portray their personas. They took the wig to new heights with tons of volume and teasing. “Naomi Smalls is a completely different person than Davis [Heppenstall],” RuPaul’s Drag Race participant Naomi Smalls told Elle magazine. “I like to completely transform. Being able to change your hair color, texture, and length by plopping something on your head is immediate satisfaction.”

For a long time, wearing a wig was something to be ashamed of. Nowadays no one can blame you for taking advantage of this opportunity for expression. Be empowered! Channel your inner CEO by wearing a black bob into a meeting room, and show them who’s boss.

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extreme

lengths From henna to madder root to automotive paint, manicure culture is now going to further extremes.

Text lydia spencer Photography dinh ly Nails alizea avenancio

Nails have been tools used to express beliefs, feelings, and positions of power throughout history. The Ancient Egyptians once experienced the same blissful feeling that comes after leaving the nail salon with a fresh gel coat. They used henna and other plants to create pigments for their nails. The shade on their hands indicated social status. The brighter the color, the higher a person was in social class. In India, henna is considered a symbol of beauty, which is a belief that’s been held for thousands of years.

Medieval Ireland understood the pain of having to wait for dried nails as the red madder root they used to paint them took a while to set. In Ancient China, long nails conveyed social status and were believed to ward off evil spirits. Long nails also introduced nail protectors, ornate pieces of metal featuring jewels on top.

Thanks to Fred Slack, those of us who can’t maintain or grow long nails can have access to his invention: nail extensions.

His invention of the acrylic nail in 1954 wasn’t utilized for the elaborate effects we know today until the ’80s, when neon and jewel tones made the front pages of magazines. Acrylics stayed through the grunge of the ’90s, and they continue to thrive in the 2010s.

Modern technology means change. Gel nail polish means no more long wait times for dry nails. Affordable presson nails allow us to stay in the comfort of our home. With these fun time-shavers, we can spend more time thinking of ways to “dress” our nails. With gel polish taking less than five minutes to dry, the nail technician can spend time achieving more complex techniques. This includes drilling holes and em-

bedding charms at the nail tips, placing pearls around our cuticles, and spelling out names in elaborate designs.

There are an array of nail shapes and colors to choose from, and today we can decide how long our nails can be, how sharp, and even spiralize the tips. Just like fashion, these elaborate designs, shapes, and lengths are a new type of accessory, another creative outlet to express ourselves. In India and Ancient Egypt, nails were a symbol of status. In Ancient China, they warded off spirits.

But what does our effort for extreme design and length say about us today?

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Model artie medina

type of accessory, another creative outlet to express ourselves.� beauty

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wet look

How to get the look, without all the water.

Text lisa hahner Photography mauricio zelaya Beauty artie medina, ines santos

what is the wet look?

We’ve all seen it. The seemingly wet hair and perfect, gleaming faces donned by celebrities. We’ve seen Kim Kardashian West’s Met Gala look and Shay Mitchell’s smooth, slicked back hair. This polished-sleek look has been a prominent trend this past year and it leaves us asking, “How can I recreate that look myself?” If you thought only professional hair and makeup artists could give life to this wet illusion, think again. how to achieve Hair Tips Having the right hair products is important in achieving the wet look. One hairstyle you may choose is to slick back your hair with a gel or glossing shine spray, or both. When it comes to the amount you use, the sky’s the limit. We want your hair to look soaked, so a dollop in your hand won’t do the trick.

If you find yourself using half the bottle, you’re doing it right.

If you just want to wear your hair down, take the gel and generously incorporate it throughout your strands, focusing on the roots. Take a shining spray to lock it in place.

Shake your head a few times for a more messy look. If you want to create a low, slick ponytail or bun, make sure you have a comb and hair tie. Run the gel along the roots of your hair. Collect all your hair at the base of your neck and tie it into place. To finish off the look, spritz your shine spray.

Another way to attain the wet look is by scrunching it, a style that is trending again.

Scrunching your hair mimics effortless, sought-after beach waves. To pull it off, make sure all of your hair is damp, not soaking wet. Next, take mousse and scrunch it through your hair. The more mousse, the more it will look like you just got out from a refreshing dip in the ocean. No matter where you are, scrunched hair will have you feeling as though you’re walking on the shore after a sunny, salty beach day.

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Makeup Tips Think about all the times you’ve been blinded by someone’s highlight. There are many makeup brands that have products that will make you look like you just dipped your face in liquid gold. Since a huge component of the wet look is a glowing face, highlighters and oils are essential.

Milk Makeup is a brand that carries highlighters and oils that give the skin a wet radiance. Other notable brands are Cover FX with their Custom Enhancer Drops, and Anastasia Beverly Hills with their Glow Kits. Make sure to hit the high points of the face, no matter the illuminating product of your choosing. This includes your cheekbones, the tip of the nose, chin, and cupid’s bow. You can even apply to your collarbones for an extra pop! Don’t forget to add some shine on the eyelids and lips with lip gloss. Lip gloss can be applied to a spoolie brush and double up to hold your brows in place while making them appear more lustrous than usual.

Whether you want to channel your inner mermaid or fresh-out-of-the-shower vibes, the wet look is perfect for a sexy, wearable appearance. The silky shine of your hair and the glisten off your face will soon have everyone asking, “How did you create that look?”

You can then refer them to this article.

“whether you want to channel your inner mermaid or fresh outof-the-shower vibes, the wet look is perfect for a sexy, wearable appearance.”

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long live the red lip Red lipstick has left her stain on this world and wants her triumphs heard.

Text hailee milton Photography john groves Prop Styling tevin consiglio

Unscrew the cap and swivel the base of the tube. Trace the bottom of the lips followed by the top curve and make sure to keep the color within the lines. Pucker the mouth together, then smooch the excess onto the pointer finger. Step back from the mirror and revel in awe—iconic, every time. Red lips save the day for lazy outfits and gives us the extra courage to wear daring ensembles. She is beauty’s little superhero, secret weapon, and a man’s greatest enemy. A true triple threat that thoughtfully fits within a small clutch.

and powerful everyday women to reclaim the feminine look as an act of self-expression.

For that reason, a nude or pink lipstick has yet to kill the everlasting reign of a red lip.

While red lipstick doesn’t literally fight crime, she fights for a lot. Conceived in ancient history, she has been battling discrimination against women and beauty for centuries. Previously associated with unwelcomed sexualization and unfactual assumptions, wearing red lips was the trait of a less-than-desirable woman. Witchcraft and immortality branded the daredevils who stained themselves in scarlet lips. However, being so unavoidable and demanding, she still bloomed years of discrimination into a campaign of self-confidence. It is with patience and love that red lips have lived for so long. Transcending time through healthy and competitive experimentations of new formulas, finishes, and shades. Red lipstick collaborated with brave brands, celebrities,

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Shall we give gratitude to the Queen Elizabeths of the world? Whose majestic honor separated church and red lips when she graced humanity with lordly red lips of her own. Allowing her to straighten her crown and put a cease fire to nasty generational lies that never carried truth. Can the Marylin Monroes of the world stand up?

Who put the spotlight on body positivity and emulated femininity so well that other women no longer had to act confident, but were confident. Actually, let’s give a round of applause to the nurses, waitresses, housekeepers, students, soldiers, politicians, first ladies, and CEOs that use red lips to feel more powerful than they already are.

Yves Saint Laurent’s Le Rouge Couture lipstick. Pair Chanel’s long-wearing lipstick with a long-awaited romantic evening.

There is a shade for every occasion. Long live the queens who dare to wear a red lip, past, present, and future—through every era, period, and century.

Fortunately, the naysayers were wrong, immortality oozes throughout every red lipstick formula ever crafted; casting spells on those who dare to stand out, hypnotizing subjects who step foot in her path. So we will seal this pact with a poisonous kiss so vibrant that generations to come will confidently continue telling the tale of the red lip.

To say long live the red lip means to express loyalty and allegiance. Look in the forbidden mirror and repeat after me. Long live the queen. It’s about time red lips accept their crown.

Stunt on others with Rihanna’s Fenty Stunna Lip paint. Selfishly go rogue wearing Rouge in Dior lipstick in shade 999. Strut in style with Christian Louboutin’s soulful red. Shine like a movie star, starring Ruby Woo by MAC. Feel like a French girl with

“a true triple threat that thoughtfully fits within a small clutch.”

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raw_files Text Luci Hoitink Photography Maya Das

Makeup-less, unedited, real beauty is something the industry has been trying to cover up for years, and it’s time to make our natural features the new trend.

Now more than ever, people are beginning to embrace their natural beauty for what it is—presenting themselves as they are and being comfortable doing so. Find a home in your differences. Make them yours.

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None of the following images have been retouched.

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Awa Kaday Awa is a 20-year-old from Sierra Leone, West Africa. She is a full-time International Trade and Marketing student at FIT. Awa is a model, dancer, and choreographer who enjoys watching Monsters Inc. on VHS tape in her free time. Awa is a survivor of a nearly fatal accident and is pushing forward despite her hearing loss, brain injury, and paralyzed facial muscles.

In what moments do you feel most beautiful?

That’s really hard to answer now, being that I don’t. I just recently got into an accident, so I lost what I thought was my most beautiful feature which was my smile. I guess I’ll feel the most beautiful when I get that back.

What do you think makes a person attractive?

Their heart.

What advice do you have for someone learning to embrace their raw beauty?

Just don’t care. Whatever people have to say about you does not matter. Please don’t lose a single hour, minute, or ounce of sleep over that. You are you, everything happens to you for a reason, and if someone doesn’t think you’re beautiful, as long as you believe it, you are.

What is your relationship status with yourself?

I’ve been in a long 20-year relationship with myself, figuring out who that is, who I am as a person. I’ve been through victories, I’ve been through downfalls, and I’m my biggest fan. I’m very loyal to myself.

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Alana Ocera Alana is a 23-year-old from Brooklyn, NY. Alana is a full-time Fashion Business Management student at FIT. She also works part-time as a waitress and enjoys going out with friends, reading, and designing clothing. Alana has had psoriasis since she was 7, when it showed up out of nowhere.

What is your relationship status with yourself?

I think it’s pretty good. It took a while to get to this point, but I’m really genuinely happy right now.

In what moments do you feel most beautiful?

I think when I’m all dressed up in what I want to be in. When my hair is down, I usually don’t wear much makeup, but just a bit of foundation.

What do you think makes a person attractive?

Their personality. If they’re smart and have a really nice heart, really genuine. I think that’s what makes them beautiful.

What advice do you have for someone learning to embrace their raw beauty?

Honestly, just don’t give a fuck about what anybody says. Once you stop caring about what everybody else thinks, you truly become one of your best versions.

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Tyler Stephenson Tyler is a 25-year-old from Queens, NY. He models, is currently enrolled in an online Sneaker Essentials program at FIT, and enjoys reading, shopping, and photography.

Tyler was born with vitiligo but did not realize it until middle school when small parts of his skin began to lose pigmentation.

What is your relationship status with yourself?

Right now, I think I’m still just figuring myself out in general. I feel like I know myself, but at the same time I’m at that age where I’m still relatively young.

In what moments do you feel most beautiful?

What do you think makes a person attractive?

Personality, definitely. Obviously the exterior is cool, but once you get past that and get to really know somebody, I feel like that’s what makes them beautiful. Anybody can be pretty, but if you have a nasty personality, it’ll just kill it for me.

What advice do you have for someone learning to embrace their raw beauty?

Find out what truly makes you happy instead of seeking validation from other people. Find that validation within yourself instead of seeking it from elsewhere.

Two times. One, when I get a haircut. And two, when I show up to a shoot and they put makeup on me.

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Amber Marinescu Amber is a 22-year-old from Long Island, NY. She is a full-time Fabric Styling student at FIT. Amber enjoys to paint and sketch, read poetry, and go dancing with friends.

Amber was born with a birthmark that she has come to realize is a part of who she is.

What is your relationship status with yourself?

I think now that I’m getting older, the more time that goes by, I start to love myself more.

I definitely don’t love every part of myself, but I’m getting there. There’s definitely selflove there. It’s a complicated relationship.

In what moments do you feel most beautiful?

I don’t know, sometimes I just look in the mirror and I’m like, Wow, I feel really beautiful. I don’t feel like there’s any particular moment. Sometimes it just happens.

What do you think makes a person attractive?

I definitely think their kindness, the personality that they have. I don’t think it’s all about beauty. You can notice somebody’s beauty, but they can be an ugly person and it takes all of that away from them.

What advice do you have for someone learning to embrace their raw beauty?

Just surround yourself with people that make you feel good and uplift you. Kind of take the bad and turn it into good. Don’t let it get you down.

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not so literal.

Photography Tina DiRosa

With endless possibilities, beauty no longer has a literal meaning.

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Text Kiana Clevinger

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“The canvas has purely undergone a transformation from paper to people.”

The definition of beauty is always evolving. It continues to push boundaries and expand horizons. Although to some, beauty suggests accentuation, acceptance, or concealment of natural features, to others it is an art form. The canvas has undergone a transformation from paper to people.

The world is always brimming with bold and unique ideas and resources that only need to be conceptualized and utilized. When there are already a multitude of ideas out there, creativity demands boldness—something new and exciting. It needs to challenge what we recognize and understand. It can surface in many forms and with innumerable outlets to be expressed. Beauty is no different. As a painter is with a blank canvas, a makeup artist or hairstylist is with a person. Makeup is no longer just applying foundation and eyeliner, but a way to exhibit self-creativity. Hair is no longer just coloring and cutting hair, but a way to transform an abstract idea into a masterpiece.

The beauty industry is constantly craving the “next big thing.” Fashion magazines and lavish catwalks are consistently breaking down barriers. No one would dream of these extraordinary ideas, yet once propelled into the world they are proclaimed genius and innovative—some may say beautiful. Nobody would have thought to intricately design the face with Swarovski crystals, until someone did. No one would have considered buying stickers and strategically placing them on their skin, until someone did.

Imagine Picasso, Pollock, or Warhol. These were artists whose works were considered ugly or unorthodox for their time. Today, their work is embraced and interpreted as nonconforming, and they are praised as forerunners of important artistic movements. They manifested their self-creativity amid the controversies that made them famous today.

cus-meets-alien-meets-medieval-vibe.” The show Euphoria has its own term in the beauty world; fans and beauty industry workers alike could tell you what “Euphoria Eyes” are. Originating from a TV show, this trendy and complex look which mimics watercolor paintings on the eyelids is now being spotted from the catwalk to the streets.

Past beauty was less complex. The products were created for a single intended purpose.

There was nothing challenging that fact.

Mascara coated the lashes for a fuller and longer appearance. Contour was a simple cool-toned brown that sharpened and accentuated the face’s natural structure.

Lipstick painted the lips a color we were not born with. Today, mascara comes in all colors for a graphic or eye-catching appearance. Contour means enhancing the face with any product, be it stickers or bright hues. Lipstick became multipurpose and artistic, even bringing rise to a new category of Instagram makeup: lip art.

Beauty standards are ever-changing, and so are the trends. Up-and-coming generations crave a distinct self-identity to help separate themselves from the rest. It’s no surprise that beauty trends are mimicking this need for individualism. Nonconforming beauty ideas in the spotlight today would have been unheard of 50 or even 10 years ago. It makes you wonder, how much further can beauty go in the future?

Popular media has thrown its share of breaking down barriers into the ring. Recently, NYFW Spring ’20 introduced new concepts. Tomo Koizumi featured “cone hair,” molding his models’ hair into high cone shapes and gelling it. According to Fashionista.com, Jeremy Scott’s runway showcased ’80s hair on steroids with bright colors and ultra volume. Christopher John Rogers proclaimed his idea was inspired by “a cir-

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all hail the new rap royalty Thanks to the women of rap, we will never have to imagine a world where we aren’t able to blast “Truth Hurts” to power through a breakup.

Text payton bierk Art joffre contreras

While summer came to an end in September, it is clear to everyone that Hot Girl Summer and women in rap are unapologetically here to stay. This phrase of the year came into being when Megan Thee Stallion officially dubbed summer 2019 “Hot Girl Summer” after releasing a single with the same title. And quickly everyone across all forms of social media embraced her definition of a “hot girl” being an empowered, body positive, confident person—being entirely themselves. Coming from unconventional beginnings, artists like Megan Thee Stallion have proven themselves to be competitive in an industry where women were once merely sexually explicit references in a string of fast-paced rhymes. Now, rap queens dominate the scene and top the charts, from the likes of Cardi B, whose intense raps about wealth, sex, and strength incite badass energy, to that of Lizzo, whose anthems of self-love and fierce individuality inspire the same in others. All of these rappers owe their success to MC Sha-Rock, the first female rapper.

Born Sharon Green, MC Sha-Rock grew up in the South Bronx, New York: the birthplace of hip hop culture. Here, she became a breakdancer and began her rapping career in the mid 1970s. MC Sha-Rock became a founding member of the music group The Funky 4+1, where she was promptly the “plus one” as the first female MC of a notable hip hop group. Her work even earned her the title “Mother of the Mic.” She began paving the way for artists of the later

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’80s like that of MC Lyte and Salt-N-Pepa through her efforts in breaking down both boundaries and stereotypes for women in the rap industry. Her contribution to hip hop culture has allowed for new emerging female rappers to have the same opportunities as men.

Today, making their own mark, artists such as Saweetie, Noname, and Tierra Whack offer their unique styles, redefining what it means to be a woman in the rap industry. Saweetie’s brash approach has allowed her to climb the charts with her audacious singles “Icy Girl” and “My Type.” In contrast, Noname brings smooth stylings to the forefront with a hint of old-school R&B spice showcased in both her songs “Diddy Bop” and “Shadow Man.” Tierra Whack is another rising star who highlights her tongue-in-cheek nature and her style rooted in distinctive beats to drive the lyrics in her latest album Whack World.

As we long for our summer “hot girl” lifestyle, we will have to wait until next year comes around. In the meantime, we will continue to power through another “Hot Girl Semester” to keep paying homage all year long to such remarkably bold, confident women who changed the rap scene indefinitely.

“female artists have proven themselves to be competitive in an industry where women were once merely sexually explicit references”

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to the sky and back Can a journey through space truly reveal one’s identity on Earth?

Text julianna moreland Art colette antonaccio

official astrologist. It is even easier to view horoscopes through Co-Star, an app that analyzes one’s whole astrology birth chart, which includes one’s sun, moon, and rising signs. Co-Star has become increasingly popular for quick horoscopes and viewing one’s daily strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, the app connects users with friends to see each other’s compatibility.

“Oh, our zodiac signs aren’t aligned. We won’t work well together. I can’t date a Gemini!” Since when does the date and time we were born influence our relationships? When did astrology become the basis for our decisions about how we behave and with whom we interact?

Astrology was most recognized by the ancient Greeks who believed that the movements and locations of celestial objects affected the personality and behavior of people. During the 17th and 18th centuries, astrology was solely viewed as unreliable entertainment. Within the past decade, astrology has become a life principle for millennials and Generation Z. Yet many still ask: Is astrology really accurate or does one merely shift their personality to identify with their sign of the zodiac?

Because we are social people, relatability allows us to feel empathy and connect with others. Horoscopes allow even the loneliest of people to identify and relate to those within their astrological sign. This strong feeling of inclusion has allowed for astrology to spread quickly.

Despite the increasing relatability, horoscopes have the sense of making people feel unique. This is known as the Barnum effect.

Simply put, the Barnum effect is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when people believe that personality trait descriptions specifically apply to them although they contain general and unspecific information that applies to everyone. Even so, astrology has become massively popular because it allows followers to identify with their sign, even if the astrological source is uncredited.

Astrology helps people answer the questions that science and beliefs can’t. In times of need and uncertainty, people often look to comforting messages and quotes to uplift them. Horoscopes can provide the “look into the future” that makes readers feel more confident in their actions.

Contrarily, people will use astrology to explain their unfortunate behavior. For example, Mercury in retrograde is an illusion where the planet associated with communication seems to move backward as the Earth rotates. Many blame this quarter-annual occurrence for any strange behaviors.

All in all, it wouldn’t be wise to disregard someone just because they are a Scorpio.

How boring would the world be if there were only 12 specific types of people anyway? Ultimately, an understanding of astrology can spark an interesting discussion or cause a laugh from a meme making fun of signs of the zodiac.

“horoscopes allow even the loneliest of people to identify and relate to those within their zodiac.”

Because of recent technological advancements, it now takes approximately five minutes to go online, type in the date, time, and location of your birth, and get your astrological birth chart. Not too long ago, these all had to be done painstakingly by hand by an

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lawfully attracted Concealed by every negative thought, a positive out-look waits to attract one’s ambitions in life.

Text rachel clare weiss It’s all around us: The Law of Attraction. Surrounding the universe with its magnetic powers, it draws both positive and negative energies together. This law states that our thoughts can actually control what we are able to manifest in life.

When you have a vision or aspiration, applying the principles of this law can help you achieve it. Maybe you’re eager to be in a relationship, or perhaps you want to buy a new car or a luxury handbag, or you merely want to get that parking spot. Either way, as you begin to notice these things more often, you focus on them, and eventually attraction can come.

This power can affect your life in the most trivial to significant ways. It all starts with changing your thoughts from “We’re going to get the red light” to “Green light, here we come” and “What if my interview didn’t go well” to “I am going to get this internship.” What you think about, you bring about.

Think of the Law of Attraction process as a vibration—your vibrational mix. Worrying can repulse what you strive for in life.

Negative thoughts can create friction in your vibration, ultimately impeding your progress.

For instance, the words “I can’t afford it” should be positively rethought and turned into ones of prosperity. Apply positive

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ways of thinking throughout your daily life, work at believing in the power of your mind, and practice this approach.

Following this law will result in rewards larger than what is tangible. Integrating this mindset can lead to greater happiness, confidence, and a forgiving state of mind.

The negative events that occur in your life do not determine what your future is capable of— you do. When something in life goes south, think about all you have to be grateful for. The Law of Attraction requires you keep a productive perspective.

Consistency is the most important aspect of this process. Stay consistent with your goals, your thoughts, and believing in your vibrational mix. Put in the work.

Once you adapt into this lifestyle, others may notice your positivity and wonder how you do it. This creates an opportunity to share your mentality with them. Smile, think positively, and encourage others.

Focus on small ways to attract your end goals and you will attract your greatest desires. You get one life, manifest it.

“integrating this mindset can lead to greater happiness, confidence, and a forgiving state of mind”

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ramblings from a coffee addict.

My caffeinated lover and I are nearly inseparable, but what happens when he’s taken away from me?

Oh, the sweetly bitter bite of caffeine that seldom disappoints. Never one to judge, coffee has ingrained its way into my daily routine—a welcome start to the darkest of mornings and, let’s be honest, nights. My intense dependency on it got me thinking about what in the world would happen should those doses of caffeine just … disappear.

Text shruthi nattanmai Art gabrielle hernandez

In the name of personal experimentation, I tasked myself with just that: a day without coffee. I can’t say that it was an unproblematic adventure, but hey, that just made it infinitely more interesting.

7:30 am Enthused is something I’m not on this glorious Monday morning. How dare I not wake up to the smell of borderline burnt coffee! It’s been half an hour since my alarm went off, but my brain can’t seem to boot up fast enough to coherently piece an outfit together. An effective morning routine?

Probably not, but it’s alright! We’re powering through in the name of exceptionally important research.

10 am After doing winged eyeliner (amazingly, if I may say so myself) and finding the way to my internship for the first day, I’m severely unclear about whether I’m mistaking nerves for energy.

Frankly, it might’ve been the pleasant aroma of the crowded 3 train that jolted me awake.

For bonus points, my new coworkers even called me “bright and energetic!” I couldn’t help but snicker at that one. Fake it till ya make it, I guess!

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Noon Remember when I said I felt awake? Rescind that, stat. There’s a handmark on my cheek from accidentally falling asleep, and absolutely no question of my blurring eyesight.

The Peet’s coffee that I’m dreaming of is sitting on my counter at home, mocking me for this blatantly stupid experiment. Three cheers for no coffee though!

3 pm What seems like a billion years later, I’m still sitting at a desk, laptop in front of me, my left eye twitching as steadily as a metronome. Is my brain short-circuiting? Is this real life? A woman is loudly devouring croutons in the near distance and I swear, I could scream.

Charming, truly.

5 pm When I say the walk home was torturous, I do not mean that lightly. Did you know that there are multiple Starbucks on each block from the Financial District to Midtown? Painful is what that is. I feel as though my life is moving in slow motion, my movements resembling a lagging YouTube video—sluggish and broken.

8 pm Ah yes, the downfall.

Homework, dinner, and chores loomed over my head, but what did I do?

Nap, of course! What, like I was supposed to do all of that with no coffee? I’m not proud of it and it’s probably not the most practical lifestyle, but there’s no chance of me being even slightly practical without my dear Peet’s.

Final Thoughts So, perhaps this whole “no coffee” thing isn’t for me. Although the absence of stomachaches was definitely a perk, my lack of functionality was slightly alarming. Should I be concerned? Eh, maybe tomorrow. For now, I’m seeing a very large triple shot blonde flat white in the near future. I mean, come on, it was earned.

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someone sex?

Let’s undress why sex appeal appeals to you.

Text justine golata Photography naomy guzman

You’re thinking about sex aren’t you? Now you are. And that’s OK! Sex is enthralling and more importantly, magnetic. Whether you’re having it or not, this taboo of a topic catches the attention of almost everyone on this globe. According to Brian Mustanski, author of The Sexual Continuum, over a 24hour period, men think of sex 34 times, and women 18 times. So, let’s question what makes people so fixated on this common act of attraction and why sex really does sell.

Besides accounting for the entirety of the human race, sex sells because it turns such an intimate act into a public declaration, a complete dichotomy. It takes the most vulnerable human experience and plasters it in front of the world to sell something as everyday as a car.

Greg Ippolita, president of marketing agency IMA, discusses that the reason sex sells directly relates to the idea that greater engagement leads to substantial retainment.

Whether sex is appearing outside of the bedroom in the form of a novel, advertisement, or even toy, it will be sure to earn mass attention because it’s taking something so out of its original context.

Fifty Shades, but you know that trilogy was read and finished in under one week. Its content captivates an audience of millions no matter the quality of writing because it allows readers to engage in their needs and personal feelings toward intimacy. Whether it’s Harry Styles or Christian Grey, erotica continues to pique the interests of readers worldwide.

Sticking to stimulating material, advertisers always say that if they can get your attention, they can sell you anything. When applying this theory to sex in advertising, it becomes very evident that this concept can actually work. If sex is already on the minds of most consumers, it makes for the perfect tactic to reach potential buyers.

Moreover, advertisements might not be the only reason sex is appearing across the screens of many. Let’s just say pornography is no stranger to the world … or your laptop.

As of last year, Pornhub reported receiving 81 million visitors per day. Porn can bypass all of the risked rejection and effort involved with securing companionship in reality, thus its ease and convenience to satiate a human’s need for intimacy results in this high quantity of consumers.

It’s important to remember that it’s not out of the ordinary to think about sex, nor have it claim your interest. Covering this topic typically conversed in whispers, and publicly delivering sex to the masses through novels, advertisements, and imagery enforces the idea that sex should be an open conversation. It continues to sell because, though it’s shocking in nature, it’s really just human nature. So, go live it up at the Museum of Sex on the bouncy castle of breasts, and take that cover of Gone Girl off your real copy of 50 Shades Freed. Whatever you do, don’t fear the sexual intrigue of pure humanity.

Claim what you may, but I know your 13-year-old self was goggling over the After series on Wattpad once middle school got out. And if that wasn’t you, I’m sorry to say, you missed out! There’s simply no denying it; people love a good fantasy. Erotica novels may hold little to no plot density, like

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breaking the social media lens

What do you do when you’re waiting for the subway, your professor finally gives you a 10-minute break, or you just have some time to kill? Let me guess, you scroll through social media? Well, you’re not alone.

There are 2.65 billion people worldwide that spend an average of five hours a day on social media platforms. With all of this time spent scrolling through content, no one really takes a step back to actively gauge what was going on before or after these “picture perfect” posts were uploaded.

When talking about the facade of social media and constructing an image, it’s impossible to ignore Alexis Stone. In case you’re unfamiliar with the name, Stone is a British drag performer who has grown his following by transforming himself into var-

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ious celebrities using nothing but makeup and styling. He made headlines earlier this year with his “botched plastic surgery” prank. Thanks to a clever use of makeup and photo effects, he convinced his followers that he had undergone plastic surgery that went horribly wrong.

Tens of thousands of people were quickly convinced that Stone was telling the truth because there really wasn’t a reason not to. His experiment can teach us all a vital lesson: Everything is not always what it seems. That’s the whole thing with social media, isn’t it? We can’t really tell what’s real from what’s fake. However, that doesn’t stop us from voicing our opinions formulated upon assumptions we’ve made based on a single post. The people that felt

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A social media influencer teaches us a lesson on taking everything at face value online.

the need to bring negativity into Stone’s life because of their personal opinions are the ones who ultimately motivated his “Project Reinvention.”

In an interview with Paper Magazine, Alexis Stone explained that the comments he received made him very angry with the world. He said he initially thought, “Let me do this as a big fuck you,” when he came up with the idea for the elaborately planned prank. Ultimately, Stone told Paper, he kept his “new look” up for as long as he did because he loves the art of transforming to make people believe an illusion.

What Stone did took the usually embellished social media platform to a whole other level. He set out to make his followers

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Text donna hellberg Art jenna solomon

believe something that lacked any factual foundation and succeeded on a massive scale thanks to our willingness to believe almost anything online. For seven months he was posting pictures wearing a mask, and no one was the wiser. The post-op picture was taken in his own couch at home.

His commitment to the prank is what makes it so fascinating—only five people knew about him not actually “being botched.” He was living this same fallacy even outside of social media.

The experiment proved that the profiles we see on social media, especially on Instagram, are a curated snapshot of people’s lives. Each individual posts through a modified lens of whatever they consider worth showing, not necessarily what’s beyond the frame. It shouldn’t take a life-consuming prank to make us realize how much judgment we pass, yet how little we actually know about the people on our screens.

In hindsight, the whole trick can be looked at as a social experiment. Stone’s intentions were to show how quickly people would believe him and how they would react to what could’ve been a life-changing reveal.

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SAY SQUEEZE! The recent rise of shapewear has begun the conversation of whether this garment supports or undermines the female body positive movement.

Text rachel cross Photography mia murphy

The desirable hourglass shape: a broad breast, followed by a tightly cinched waist, finished with curvy and enticing hips. Unquestionably ideal and entirely achievable right?

What more could a woman want from her body?

When women’s bodies do not match these standards, what do they do? Compress themselves into shapewear to get a little bit closer to that perfect silhouette, giving them a shrunken waist in no time! Women around the world are resorting to these tactics when their outfits require a little squeezing.

Shapewear as a concept is quite alarming to some and could even be seen as anti– body positive. Many feminists believe that shapewear is contradictory to the cause because it alters women’s bodies in order to conform to the standards of society. This idea of conformity to beauty standards can draw historical connections to 16th-century corsets and girdles. In today’s world, those old corsets and girdles are considered inhumane, but are they really that different from the shapewear that many women wear nowadays? Both are uncomfortable, constricting, hot, and in severe cases, damaging to internal organs and skin. There are clearly drawbacks to shapewear that cause a lot of women to pass it up.

However, to others, shapewear is a saving grace. It can be used as a helpful tool to give them that extra confidence they may want to rock a little black dress. Everyone wants to feel secure in their outfits, and sometimes

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shapewear can be that additional assurance of one’s beautiful body. In contradiction to the idea that shapewear is anti–body positive, many people believe that shapewear is simply just enhancing and emphasizing a woman’s assets instead of concealing them from society. Therefore, wearing shapewear could be seen as embracing and complementing the body. This belief is common in the fashion and pop culture industries.

Major celebrities have joined the shapewear movement. Kim Kardashian has recently released a shapewear line called Skims. Skims offers bodysuits, bras, panties, and shorts, and each piece comes in six shades ranging in sizes from XXS to 5X. Skims claims to support the body positive movement; their slogan states “shapewear designed to smooth, sculpt, and enhance,” and their models represent all shapes, sizes, and races.

The brand has proved extremely successful.

In fact, Skims sold nearly $2 million worth of products minutes after the launch.

Clearly, the shapewear industry is rising. Although there are both negative and positive aspects, it is important to remember that we each have our own set of personal standards and they should not be determined by what society would prefer us to live up to. If you are resistant to try shapewear because you love your body in all of its natural glory, do your thing! And if you are an avid shapewear fan because you like the way it makes you feel, by all means, rock your shapewear without a second thought! You do you.

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Bra H&M Corset Spanx Bottoms Spanx

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On top: Bra Bestena Bottoms Wacoal

Gloves NY Vintage Tights Urban Outfitters Shoes Dolls Kill

On bottom: Dress Spanx

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Tank Top Forever 21 Leggings Express Boots ASOS Sunglasses Giant Vintage

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me: a meme

Spilling the tea on what it all really memes.

Text Caroline Albert Photography Hailey Burling

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Memes have taken over the internet and our hearts in just a few short years. Whether you’re looking for a good laugh or to relate to a friend, one thing is consistent: We are drawn to using distinct images to express shared emotions and experiences.

The word meme is not something this generation miraculously came up with on a whim. Coined by biologist Richard Dawkins in 1976, the term meme is a blend of the Greek word mimema and the English word gene. To clarify, the word meme means a copy or imitation of ideas within a culture.

Society is drawn to memes today because they allow us to express our emotions and experiences nonverbally. Memes, which are constantly appearing in our conversations, are a universal language of sorts. While they do not use words, memes are still able to say so much.

Similar to how cave paintings told stories before formal languages were created, memes play an important role in storytelling and our communication today. Fast-forward 100 years to when archaeologists are studying our society. They will surely stumble upon and be forced to interpret the memes we used to react to situations we encountered. And just as we are confused about many ancient hieroglyphic meanings, these future archaeologists might likewise find themselves stumped on the meanings of our beloved Bad Luck Brian, Math Lady, or Salt Bae. Memes have jumped out of our computer screens and into our everyday language.

Our culture clings so tightly to the use of memes that we even reference them in real-world exchanges to further prove our points or emphasize our reactions. In current times, these references can make a conversation incomprehensible to an untrained ear.

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a meme can say it in none. While paintings are more open to interpretation from the viewer, memes, however, have a single meaning. While context may change, the inserted meme helps create a narrative because of its universally understood connotation.

For instance, when using the Hooded Kermit meme, we all know it’s referring to the idea of self-reflection and the shared internal battle between choosing to do the right thing or taking the self-destructive path.

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As more media becomes available, such as Vines and gifs, new memes continue to arise. Still, the idea remains the same: Memes have the power to convey emotions in ways words never can.

For example, though the Kim Kardashian Crying Face meme originally came from a video, the screenshot is enough to convey the meaning without needing the background context. The same goes for the meme known as “New York” on a Bed; we do not need to see the video to get the feeling of impatience or rage.

We are continuously drawn to these images because they allow us to communicate not only physically, but emotionally. Memes, a modern love language, perhaps? Could it be that handwritten love letters or typed love texts are just not the preferred methods of communication anymore? Using words is much more tedious, and let’s be honest— ain’t nobody got time for that.

Though older memes are never lost on us, new memes continue to appear all across various social media platforms. This exposes people to new ways of visually articulating their #mood. In this way, not only are we able to communicate with those who do not speak our language, but we can connect with people on unprecedented levels.

Whether you find them funny or not, there is no denying the impact memes have on our society’s culture. While some communication fads fade fast, it seems memes have cemented their place in our lives. Let’s just hope TikTok does not do the same—but that’s none of my business. *Insert meme here.*

“a picture may be worth a thousand words, but a meme can say it in none.”

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Shirt Eagle Shirtmakers Sweater Vest Depop Braces Amazon

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Top ASOS Hoodie Urban Outfitters

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T-Shirt Uniqlo

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Robe Bed Bath & Beyond Pink Robe Flowerchild Vintage

Fashion Chandler Rankin Hair Aryon Holley, Julianna Portante Makeup Alexis Keith, Michele Reynoso, Kayla Steele Models Pheobe Argente, Elizabeth Helms, Jerry Hsiao, Kristen Jones, Ben Rogovin, Lily Walsh Fashion Asst. Katherine Hu Photo Asst. Veronika Kindred-Dieter

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ferromagnetic / feromag nedik/ adjective PHYSICS (of a body or substance) having a high susceptibility to magnetization, the strength of which depends on that of the applied magnetizing field, and which may persist after removal of the applied field.